shift knob removal??

[cheechz]

my girlfriend has an '03 5 speed (with the factory 8-ball that she does not like) and i am trying to get that thing off. i have read many threads about using a wrench and banging it off.. but i spent about a half hour banging it with a hammer as hard as i can and it isnt budging..

any suggestions before i get the power tools out and cut/saw/drill it off?

[Gary04GT]

The stock shift knob on the GT is not threaded or glued. It has a "D-ring and clip" configeration. It can be removed in just a few minutes--wrap the knob in a towel, place a cresent wrench under the ball, tap firmly but gently with a hammer on the wrench which forces the knob upwards--the knob should "pop off" without damage to it or the shifter rod.

[bobs turbo pt]

"banging it with a hammer as hard as i can "

be carefull you dont want to bend the shifter handle !!

[CHROMEDCRUISER]

Like Gary said, it takes a few minutes and the proper force to do. I was able to remove my knob just by pulling up on it and giving a slight twisting movement from side to side and it popped right off. Be patient with it, it's also best to do it in warmer weather, as the plastic ball is a little more pliable and moveable.

[cheechz]

thanks for responses.. its not the GT though, and i think it must be glued on. i've tried just pulling with all the strength i could muster. the hammer/wrench method was going nowhere. i think i'm gonna give it a try with a heat gun. if that doesnt work i will go to the drill or grinder and get really messy with it

[2coolPT]

I got mine off by tapping it (to get it's attention) and then using a strap whench and a couple karati yells and a jerk it came right off.[8)]

[xyster]

It's not a GT and it has an 8 ball shifter on it? I have a ball shifter... well had one on mine (put it on myself). Maybe the dealer where she got hers at installed one. Check the front/back for a small screw that you'd have to use an allen wrench on to loosen. If it's on tight, banging with a hammer won't do any good.

You might have too look really carefully since it might be hidden just under the ball of it on a ring that wraps around the stick.

I have had about 2 aftermarket shifters, both had a ring under the ball and both used allen wrenches to tighten it up. It's a hard place to spot if you don't get down in there and look.

[cheechz]

the heat gun did the trick.. still took a while to get it hot enough, then used the wrench/hammer to bang it off. it was the epoxy/glue that gave me the trouble.. no screws or spring clips there.

[fritz_t_coyote]

quote:Originally posted by cheechz

the heat gun did the trick.. still took a while to get it hot enough, then used the wrench/hammer to bang it off. it was the epoxy/glue that gave me the trouble.. no screws or spring clips there.

Definitely not factory... just somebodys 'cool' mod.

[bobs turbo pt]

hey cheechz, what are you putting on the shifter ??