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fix gear knob

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doddel
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fix gear knob

Post by doddel » Sat Jun 19, 2010 10:32 am

probably a very stupid one, but my gear knob is loose, and I can't seem to fix it (I can keep on rotating in both directions)

easy solution?
2004 Z4 2.5i - spacegrau

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ferrelscent
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Re: fix gear knob

Post by ferrelscent » Sat Jun 19, 2010 10:47 am

I posted on this same issue a few times. My Z had a replacement knob when I bought it. It slipped off at least once every time I took the car out and almost caused ann accident on more than one occasion. Hopefully avoiding this thread getting into double meanings again,..I found that a slippy knob stick just did not work well with a stiff box.

Some people suggested buying a new knob. But I was not convinced that this would solve the issue,..as to me any knob would slip off...there just doesn't seem to be anything designed into the stick and gear knob itelf to cause it to stay on.

So I umm'd and ahh'd for three weeks and then superglued mine on for life.

Perhaps this will cause me an issue at some point if I have to remove it. But at least I won't have a fatal accident in the mean time !

doddel
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Re: fix gear knob

Post by doddel » Sat Jun 19, 2010 10:50 am

sounds like a good plan. Only, I can't get it off either :x

just pull very hard?
2004 Z4 2.5i - spacegrau

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ferrelscent
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Re: fix gear knob

Post by ferrelscent » Sat Jun 19, 2010 11:08 am

So..it's loose, but won't come off ?

If thats the case maybe the plastic inner shaft of the knob is broken....

Somebody once said the best way was to put your roof up then stand with one foot in each footwell and pull fully upwards from that position.

But if the inside of the gear knob is all broken..you might want to have a replacement on standby otherwise your car will be off the road till you get one.

I am farily sure the gear stick itelf will be intact as that is all metal.

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BMWZ4MC
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Re: fix gear knob

Post by BMWZ4MC » Sat Jun 19, 2010 12:20 pm

So, if I understand you correctly, you nearly had an accident on several occasion because your knob was too slippery.
In the end you realised that it just wasn't going to work with a stiff box, so decided to pull it off...
To be completely clear, to do this you have to get someone to grasp it with both hands between your legs, whilst topless, and just keep on tugging?
I'm not sure superglue is a good idea though, even if your knob is broken deep inside!

Finally: :worthless:
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Lotus Exige - sensible daily driver on the mods slippery slope
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BMWZ4MC
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Re: fix gear knob

Post by BMWZ4MC » Sat Jun 19, 2010 12:21 pm

ps If I hadn't, someone else would have... :D
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Z4MC - heavily fettled for track use
Lotus Exige - sensible daily driver on the mods slippery slope
Westfield SEiW - in hibernation
Modified RS4 Avant - back in Blighty
S2000 GT - gone

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ferrelscent
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Re: fix gear knob

Post by ferrelscent » Sat Jun 19, 2010 1:26 pm

Alas it is inevitable :D

This thread comes up every so often, and once started by me.

Joking apart though this is a common issue, and never really gets a good answer.

Is it my imagination or do pretty much all other cars have gear knobs that screw on (oh no..'screw'..here we go again),..so that if they are at all loose you can simply tighten them up ? It seems bonkers that on the BMW's the gear nob simply slips onto the shaft (woops..) and has nothing gripping it.

(I've read this reply again, and fear I might once again have introduced a bit of Finbar Saunders)

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peddy
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Re: fix gear knob

Post by peddy » Tue Jun 22, 2010 12:18 am

no screwing required! just pops in... pops out!

I swapped mine for a zhp... had no issues with it when with a standard or, now, zhp knobs.

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