OEM shift knob removal (SEARCHED)
 

UPDATED!!! See my last post below for details and pics on how I successfully removed it!!!
================================================== ======================================

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.

Looks good! :tup:

nice job OP. I think a lot of it depends on how much locktite they put on as well :p

this is textbook example of how it should be done though.

did you get the titanium nismo knob? how's the weight compared to the stock knob?

Have you sold the old one?
 

If you havent sold it Id be interested in buying it.

i just grabbed both peices with my hands and twisted like a SOB to get it off

Thanks, Dave and Jeff. Yes I agree, the degree of difficulty with the knob removal that ALL of us have been seeing is due to the amount of Loctite that is used by the factory. Tell you what though, with that strap wrench, the amount of leverage I had was impressive. I mean, some folks use two people, one to hold the shifter shaft with pliers, and the other to turn the knob. I literally held each with one hand, and the stock knob turned immediately. And I'm not saying I'm Hulk Hogan either :) I really think out of all the methods that were used, this is one of, if not, the easiest way to remove the shift knob, period.

Yes sir. I did. I didn't really hold both knobs side by side or hand in hand. Thinking back, I probably should have :( But I can almost say that the stock knob is heavier by a tad, but the nismo knob is very solid-feeling. I like the joystick feel it gives me, with the option to an top grip also. When I get more miles on it, I can post a review.

:) I am sorry but I plan to keep the stock knob. Though I like the looks and "initial" feel of the nismo knob, I would like the option to switch back to it if it doesn't feel right or if I want a change.

WHAT? Do you mean to say you used your bare hands?!?!?! One of the shifter shaft beneath the console??? and one on the shift knob itself and just turned?????? If indeed you did, that is impressive. :bowrofl:

Hulk Hogan IS in the house :)

So what are the consequences of turning the shaft when trying to remove the factory knob? I twisted mine about half way around thinking the knob was coming off only to find my pliers on the shaft were slipping. I finally got the knob off but ended up destroying it in the process, it would not budge using the strap method. I also managed to get a small cut in the shift boot in the process so I've ordered a new one from Redline. I put my Vodoo countersunk knob that I had from my S2000 but I may order a Nismo knob to have another option. Has anyone here tried the Password JDM knob?

When i removed my stock shift knob to have more room to remove my stereo, i just grabbed the shift knob with two hands and turned like hell. It was pretty tough, but not impossible. Before seeing all these threads with tips on taking it off, i had no idea there was an issue with it. I guess some have mass amounts of loctite from hell!!! Hope i didn't do any damage since i did not do anything to stop the shaft from turning.

How does the Titanium knob feel after you've parked out in the sun for a few hours? I really want this knob, but am afraid of it getting too hot

Looking at the parts diagram there is no way to twist the shifter shaft around like I think I did. Everything works fine no so I guess I didn't damage anything (besides my poor stock shifter knob). I went ahead and ordered a Password JDM knob as well, I'll post some pics once everything is installed.

i also destroyed mine getting it off.. that s.o.b. deserved to be destroyed

now i'm rocking the tommy kaira hebi bebi knob. for you guys who are in the market for knobs...ahah... check it out. it's the best ive tried to date.

pics?

here's a thread from my350z.com full of TK knob pics:

The Tommy Kaira Hebi Bebi Shift Knob Thread :D - MY350Z.COM Forums

http://lh4.ggpht.com/vphan17/SGiM2yQ...0/IMG_2131.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/vphan17/SGiM3y7...0/IMG_2134.JPG

at first i wasn't sure about the mushroom-ish shape of the knob, but after using it for 6 months, i'm sold sold sold. i've always been a fan of round knobs, and this knob feels like a round knob when gripped from the top.

but... the knob can also be gripped more like a cylinder (or nismo-shaped) knob if gripped from the side.

it's a great balance, and extra super heavy. and the TK turtle is sick. and it's made of brass. brass.

on another note, i would do evil things to get this knob (in black finish):

Tommykaira - Aluminium Shift Knob - Nengun Performance

evil, evil things.

*edit* i should note my knob has more of a matte finish like in this picture:

http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt194/m-pratt/e.jpg

shift knob removal
 

robogrip for shaft
strap wrench for knob + masking tape

works like a charm without damage :rofl2:

Mine was on so tight when i put the strap wrench on it actually tore the leather off the shift knob.. and even after that i put the channel locks straight on the knob and it tore the plastic :eek: the knob ended up coming off in pieces.

Just tried the strap-wrench method and get this...

The strap wrench snapped! Damned Nissan and their thread-lock. *shakes fist*

Has anyone here tried using a heat gun or other heat source to heat the knob (and loctite underneath)? I'll be installing my new knob sometime next week, and was thinking of this approach. In many applications, heating loctite melts it and its ability to lock the threads. Figured i might try this approach . . . any opinions?

Anyone? If not, i'm going to try this today and let you know how it works out for me.

Mine come off with just a good twist. No pliers or other tools, just my kung fu grip.

If you were going to try this, I would suggest popping the shift ring up and heating up the shift stalk itself, as that would carry the heat better than just heating the knob.

^^I will definitely try this^^

rag wrapped around the knob + a strap wrench. no damage and it comes off easy

I bare handed it. Questioned what the big deal was.

Turned out good..... Thanks everyone for the tips!

yeah i put a big thick *** towl around it, and the layers mustve shifted and I was only biting down on maybe 1 layer of cloth on the towl. Twisted the shift lever off and found out it bit down on the plastic and leather. Oh well, just order another shift knob when I take my TWM one off if I sell it.

I'm pretty sure I had did a short vid on this. My daughter and I did this. We had to use vice grips, but it come off quick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD2JNE7pEz8