OEM shift knob removal (SEARCHED)
 

UPDATED!!! See my last post below for details and pics on how I successfully removed it!!!
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Okay, before you guys flame me, been searching for a while, and I know "HOW" to remove the stock knob, based on what I've been reading, but the problem is, I'm just not successful.

I read threads like this:
http://www.the370z.com/40th-annivers...ght=shift+knob

I did the exact same thing karotz did. I have the exact same nismo knob I want to install, but alas I am getting frustrated to the point I just want to put my channel locks DIRECTLY on the stock shift knob and damage it to hell. (That's just it, I don't want to damage it... I want to be able to go back to it if I don't like the feel of the nismo knob).

Anyways, I have the vise grips for the shaft base underneath the console, and channel locks for the shift knob. I also bought some plastic hosing, that I split open and spread apart to use as a cushion between the channel locks and the stock shift knob. So here's my questions:

1) Is this a 1 or 2 person job? Not sure how to get the right leverage within the confines of the vehicle.

but more importantly,
2) I have issues with SLIPPAGE, both on the shaft base and the stock shift knob. Do I not have it tight enough on the vise grip? Is there suppose to be a piece of hosing between the vise grips and the shaft too??? The hosing on the shift knob is slipping/spinning, so I can't get a good enough grip. I am not using a radiator hose, should I be using that instead??? And I'm thinking I don't have a big enough channel lock, that's why I can't get a good grip?!?!??

argggggggggggggh... help, it's frustratiing. I am also just worried about breaking the shifter assembly because of over torquing the shift knob. I'm almost to the point of just putting the channel lock right on the knob and twist away... :(

I wrapped the stock knob with like 20 layers of duct tape, and used a pipe wrench to remove it. While the wife was in the car holding on to the shifter shaft with vice grips.

It was really hard to turn for most of the unscrewing.. that thing is on there super tight sometimes. It was a pain in the arse.

Thanks for the great idea. I might try that. Duct tape should be tacky enough that it won't slip, and I need to use enough layers to not indent the shift knob.

As far as the shift assembly, you lifted the console up and used vice grips right? So I'm assuming you pulled the boot down to expose the shifter surface, but did you use anything between the vise grips and the shifter itself? I tried a rag, but am experiencing slippage there too :(

make sure you have someone hold the car on the outside too cause if you turn hard enough the car will turn with the knob. :eek: :icon17:

good luck. those things can be a stubborn pita.

Right, there was some sort of black ring down there or something that we used the vise grips on. I figured since its covered by the shift boot I didn't car about marring it up.. Just to be clear too I used Locking Vice grips, not just channel locks.

Also put a layer of masking tape first on the shift knob before the duct tape, help get the adhesive from the duct tape from stickying (is that a word) up the stock knob.

i think the official terminology is stickyfication. ;)

Ok, I did some more research and came across this:

http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...t-install.html

So I went ahead and purchased a strap wrench and those locking pliers. I needed the strap wrench for my oil filters anyways, so why not. So I might try this route... use the strap wrench on the shift knob to avoid marring it up.

So based on this picture below, is this also what you did? It looks like E-licous actually used the vise grip on the rubber boot ring, not on the shaft itself... Was that the same ring your were talking about? And you were certain that when your wife held the vise grip in place to the shifter shaft, it didn't slip or turn as you worked on the shift knob???

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y52...ous/page03.jpg

^ would like to know about this as well

Not 100% sure becuase I'm at work and can't see most pics (stupid fking websense web-filtering) I'll try to login in tonight and check. But I don't think it was on the boot ring.

I keep thinking about doing this and then change my mind when I think of the potential risk/benefit balance.

:icon18:

While kenchan's idea would probably work, liquid's suggestion of a pipe wrench will work. Use channel lock on the shaft, wrap the knob (I used a towel) and get a plumbers style pipe wrench for the knob. It comes right off, with no damage to the stock knob. :tup:

based on how hard it was to get the knob off when i did the short throw shifter install ( took the knob off after removing the entire shifter assembly) i can't imagine doing it if it was still in the car.

I have 2 words for you: Leverage.

Yeah. I can't help you at all. I totally destroyed my stock knob. Too much locktite.

Good luck.

:happydance:

ALRIGHT!!! Thank you to everyone on this forum. I got it done! I used a combination of everyone's suggestions and it worked like a charm :icon18:

So I used:

1) Robo-grip pliers and rubber protection on plier teeth (both from Sears)
2) Strap wrench (from Sears)

That's it!

Since the Robo-grip pliers had the red rubber protection, I used my left hand and gripped it straight on the shaft after lowering the boot. No marring on the shaft. Then I used my right hand on the strap wrench straight on the stock knob. Voila! It gave IMMEDIATELY. No marring on the knob whatsoever. It was a matter of having the right tools and the right leverage. That stock knob was on there tight though, after loosening it with the strap wrench, I figured I could just loosen it the rest of the way with my hands... but I was wrong. I pretty much had to use the strap wrench all the way till the knob was almost off.



This was my setup. You can see the robo pliers on the left, and the strap wrench on the knob. What a wonderful combo.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...e/DSC_0821.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...e/DSC_0822.jpg



Stock knob is off!!! No damage to it (front and back)!!! :tup: Look at ALL that Loctite on the shaft threads!!!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...e/DSC_0823.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...e/DSC_0825.jpg



And here she is all installed!!! I love it!!!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...e/DSC_0833.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...e/DSC_0830.jpg

I was surprised the whole affair took me 15 minutes total... just needed the right tools... amazing. I love the new Nismo knob on there. I haven't driven her yet, but am looking forward to it!!! It looks and feels good though however... exactly the look I am looking for.

Thank you again to EVERYone who chimed in and the existing DYI's posted in this forum. You guys are a tremendous help.