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Short Shift Knob Install
- Rick Hunter
- Lifer
- Posts: 3535
- Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:25 am
- Location: Jet City
- Contact:
Short Shift Knob Install
Woo hoo!! Guess what I got in today!
Since scouring the net for some useful info on the install, I figured I'd try my hand at my own DIY post. Obviously, there are some steps that I probably didn't need to take, but I thought it was best to do it (just because I'm a cautious kinda guy, and because the Ms have a wiring harness underneath that the non-Ms don't). BTW, as with any DIY, I'm not responsible for any mess-ups you might incur while doing this... so do it at your own risk!
Original Knob (pardon the dust):
Pull up on the shift boot at one of 4 corners to release the boot:
This will expose the wiring for the original ///M lighted knob (note, non-Ms don't have the wires). Disconnect the harness (I used a couple of needle-nosed pliers):
Now, put it in gear (your choice of 2nd or 6th) and pull up on the knob. You'll need to use great effort, and be careful not to aim towards your mouth / eyes. It took me ~3-4 good tries to finally yank the sucker off (no injury either!)
Bare nekkid:
Here are the shifters side-by-side:
From here on, everything goes in reverse. Snap your shift-boot back into the console, then push in the new shifter. I was looking for a "snap" noise to ensure that the new knob was in, but it doesn't do that. Once I got her in, I just gave it a good smack down and then tried to pull up. It stayed in place.
End result:
Comparison with the original knob:
Since scouring the net for some useful info on the install, I figured I'd try my hand at my own DIY post. Obviously, there are some steps that I probably didn't need to take, but I thought it was best to do it (just because I'm a cautious kinda guy, and because the Ms have a wiring harness underneath that the non-Ms don't). BTW, as with any DIY, I'm not responsible for any mess-ups you might incur while doing this... so do it at your own risk!
Original Knob (pardon the dust):
Pull up on the shift boot at one of 4 corners to release the boot:
This will expose the wiring for the original ///M lighted knob (note, non-Ms don't have the wires). Disconnect the harness (I used a couple of needle-nosed pliers):
Now, put it in gear (your choice of 2nd or 6th) and pull up on the knob. You'll need to use great effort, and be careful not to aim towards your mouth / eyes. It took me ~3-4 good tries to finally yank the sucker off (no injury either!)
Bare nekkid:
Here are the shifters side-by-side:
From here on, everything goes in reverse. Snap your shift-boot back into the console, then push in the new shifter. I was looking for a "snap" noise to ensure that the new knob was in, but it doesn't do that. Once I got her in, I just gave it a good smack down and then tried to pull up. It stayed in place.
End result:
Comparison with the original knob:
'07 Imola Red Coupé
- davidpfitz
- Member
- Posts: 403
- Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2007 10:49 am
- Location: London, UK
- Contact:
- Elliot
- Member
- Posts: 186
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 3:21 pm
- Location: Hants/Berks Border, England
- Contact:
- pvr
- Legend
- Posts: 26405
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:27 pm
- Location: South East UK
Re: Short Shift Knob Install
Excellent. Just what I needed as I still need to replace my knob with the Storm one which I had on my previous Z.
Thanks for the pics, great help to see what is underneath.
Thanks for the pics, great help to see what is underneath.
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
- Veruca
- Member
- Posts: 224
- Joined: Sat Sep 08, 2007 11:58 pm
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Contact:
Re: Short Shift Knob Install
Does the short one light up? Rick, if you're ever in the Atlanta area stop by so I can clean your interior. My OCD is kicking in looking at your pics.
- inTgr8r
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1862
- Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:09 pm
- Location: Toronto, Canada
Re: Short Shift Knob Install
No the ZHP knob doesn't light up.Veruca wrote:Does the short one light up? Rick, if you're ever in the Atlanta area stop by so I can clean your interior. My OCD is kicking in looking at your pics.
I don't miss it, as I never look at it while driving anyway.
It's a great mod, makes a big difference in shifting.
- pvr
- Legend
- Posts: 26405
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:27 pm
- Location: South East UK
Re: Short Shift Knob Install
Agreed. A driver would never see it - a passenger might. Mine is coming off this weekend
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
- Caddyshk
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1301
- Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2007 6:00 pm
- Location: Fort Erie, Ontario
Re: Short Shift Knob Install
Difference is huge with the ZHP knob - Like installing a short throw kit!
2006 Z4MC IB - LL93158
SS Race M, RE X Pipe, FS Headers/DFK Sec 1, OE STB, DZ CDV, AS SS, GC CoilOvers, SP FCAB, RE RTAB, VT Engine Mts, Stoptech lines, Hawk DTC, RE Clutch Stop, RE Tran Mounts, LeatherZ MSB, Tekarbon Spoiler, CF Grills, Advan RS
SS Race M, RE X Pipe, FS Headers/DFK Sec 1, OE STB, DZ CDV, AS SS, GC CoilOvers, SP FCAB, RE RTAB, VT Engine Mts, Stoptech lines, Hawk DTC, RE Clutch Stop, RE Tran Mounts, LeatherZ MSB, Tekarbon Spoiler, CF Grills, Advan RS
- Rick Hunter
- Lifer
- Posts: 3535
- Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:25 am
- Location: Jet City
- Contact:
Re: Short Shift Knob Install
LOL I'd love for you to clean my interior . I know I know... I actually DID clean the interior after the install. Shall I post updated pics?Veruca wrote:Does the short one light up? Rick, if you're ever in the Atlanta area stop by so I can clean your interior. My OCD is kicking in looking at your pics.
Nope... I don't miss the lighted part of the knob. I thought it was a gimmick anyways. The ambient light above actually shines onto the knob at night, so you'll still be able to see the shifter. And the difference in shifting was well worth the cost. Lemme know if you're thinking about getting it... the cheapest I've found it online is ~$48.
'07 Imola Red Coupé
- ovrkll
- Lifer
- Posts: 5936
- Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 1:03 am
- Location: Mcdonough, GA
- inTgr8r
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1862
- Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:09 pm
- Location: Toronto, Canada
Re: Short Shift Knob Install
& how may I ask do you know Rick so well??ovrkll wrote:So,,, short and stubby
- azroadie
- Member
- Posts: 350
- Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:36 pm
- Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Re: Short Shift Knob Install
Is there a 5 speed one out there anywhere?
Supercharged Metallic Grey 2003 2.5i Z4 roadster, Sport, Premium, convenience, DICE Ipod, tinted winows, xenon, heated seats, clear bra, Falken FK452s, Supersprint Race Exhaust, modified CDV, ESS TS2 Supercharger
- Rick Hunter
- Lifer
- Posts: 3535
- Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:25 am
- Location: Jet City
- Contact:
Re: Short Shift Knob Install
'07 Imola Red Coupé
- Rick Hunter
- Lifer
- Posts: 3535
- Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:25 am
- Location: Jet City
- Contact:
Re: Short Shift Knob Install
It AIN'T stubby...ovrkll wrote:So,,, short and stubby
But it IS weighted.
'07 Imola Red Coupé