OEM Shift Knob - Inherent buzzing

[Cyber370]

Hi guys,

I know that there have been numerous threads on the subject but I just thought I'd post this since I have, without a doubt, solved my problem with my shift knob buzzing over 6000 rpm. Ever since I got my car in 2016, I always heard a sort of annoying buzzing sound coming from the shifter area/console. The funny thing was that if I held the shift knob while accelerating, it would attenuate the sound. However, I wasn't completely convinced the OEM knob was the culprit and I didn't want to tackle the removal process. Well I finally went ahead this weekend and managed to remove it without damaging it.

First thing I did was remove the aluminium washer/spacer that everyone was saying was causing the noise. I reinstalled the knob and went for a ride. It stilled buzzed. The spacer was not the cause of the noise.

I then replaced the knob with a PWJDM stainless steel knob I had purchased last year but never installed (don't ask me why). I went for a very spirited drive and bingo! No noise whatsoever at any RPM. I was a happy camper at this point and I also found the weight of the knob provided a slightly better shifting feel and helped attenuated a lot of the resonances coming from the tranny.

After having finally solved my issue, I proceeded to inspect the OEM shift knob and discovered that it is a multi-piece assembly made up of several plastic parts almost ensuring that it will buzz and rattle. I even hit it with a rubber mallet and could hear the looseness. There you have it! The OEM shift knob, though it looks good, is no bueno.

So guys, if you have the dreaded shifter buzz, you won't have a choice but to dump the OEM shift knob and get yourself a nice (and heavy) aftermarket knob. Hope this helps.

[ZontheRocks]

I appreciate the write up.

I didn’t get the buzz until AFTER I changed shift knobs. I’ve been putting off looking ok’ing into it, but the buzz comes on at around the same RPM that you describe. Looks like I have a mini project for later.