Loose Shift Knob

[Zack]

I can't seem to find this on NAM. Does anyone know how to tighten the shift knob or has the link to NAM for that? It's getting annoying when I shift and the knob twists.

[Minidave]

It just presses on, there's no set screw. Put a folded towel on it and hit it hard or use a rubber hammer.

You can buy aftermarket knobs that do have a set screw.

[Zack]

I'll give that towel thing a try. Thanks. It twists back and forth which gets really annoying but I don't wanna swap the knob out...yet

[davester]

Well, if that didn't work, take it off and then install again. Straddle the shifter and give it a hard yank. Be sure to open the sunroof if that applies. This instruction is for a manual trans. not auto. I take no responsibility for this how-to.

[Zack]

I have a manual but can't stop laughing from you saying I should straddle the shifter, lol

[Zack]

Is it just me or does everything about this sound dirty?

[davester]

When you jerk it off, it will come flying. So open the sunroof just in case.

[Zack]

Oh bother,

[IowaM1N1]

The shift knob on R50/R53 is as described above -- simply a friction fit. Pull straight up to remove. It requires a surprising amount of force, and you can hurt yourself if you aren't careful. I think I put the car in 6th gear and removed it while sitting in the passenger side of the car.

There is a pin inside the shift knob that runs cross-ways, and mates to a U-shaped channel in the shifter. That is what keeps it from turning. Sounds as if maybe your pin broke inside the shifter knob? When you remove it, it should be obvious what the issue is.

To install, carefully line up the shift knob so the pin is as perfectly square to the channel as you can get it. Then it snaps down when you apply some force to it.

I have an old 6 speed shift knob from my old '04 R53 that you can look at to compare it to. You can have it, actually, if you need it. It is in decent shape for a shift knob that was used for about 80,000 miles.

[Zack]

It doesn't spin completely around but I'm terrified I'll break it if I try to remove it myself. It's a bit chipped around the edge on top so I may want to replace it anyway. I'll keep you all posted.

[IowaM1N1]

It doesn't spin completely around but I'm terrified I'll break it if I try to remove it myself. It's a bit chipped around the edge on top so I may want to replace it anyway. I'll keep you all posted.

It is a very solid piece -- you won't break it. It is like a baseball or billiard ball -- pretty much a solid piece.

The only tools you need to remove it are your hands. Do not use a pry bar, hammer, or any other tool. Just grab and pull upwards.

[davester]

Bring it by the "garage day" and we will show you how to remove it.

[minicoopers43]

When you jerk it off, it will come flying. So open the sunroof just in case.

Bring it by the "garage day" and we will show you how to remove it.

I thought the garage day was going to be PG-13