Removing the gear knob

[perttu]

Not for nothing but most guys by now know how to pull on their knob to get it off!!!!

And if they can't get it off, they can just have the old knob polished

 

[cowboyjon]

Changed mine for a stormwerks affair.

I'm a big manly man and it took a serious effort to lift off the old knob. I can't imagine a smaller, older bloke even managing it, though obviously some will pop off a lot easier than others.

 

[Mr Tidy]

I'm not sure it was glued at the factory, maybe it was the previous owner.

I've swapped 3 now and none of them was glued so that must have been a previous owner's work.
But well done for getting it off.

They shouldn't be too difficult to get off. I'm the wrong side of 60 and scrawny - a good yank is all it takes!

 

[enuff_zed]

Changed mine for a stormwerks affair.

I'm a big manly man and it took a serious effort to lift off the old knob. I can't imagine a smaller, older bloke even managing it, though obviously some will pop off a lot easier than others.

We've had more practice. :wink:

 

[poortomsacold]

Well I never thought I'd have to tug on my knob so hard in my life! That took some serious effort - didn't think it was ever going to happen, but in the end I got there! New (well used but excellent condition thanks to another forum user) weighted ZHP knob now in place.

 

[chanlon1]

So all this talk of pulling you known off :roll: no one seems to talk much about putting the new one back on. Does it just push down? Does it take a good bit of force?

 

[poortomsacold]

So all this talk of pulling you known off :roll: no one seems to talk much about putting the new one back on. Does it just push down? Does it take a good bit of force?

Putting the new one back on is a breeze - slips on and clicks into place with no effort which is a good job as you've used all your energy by that stage!

 

[meitme]

I finally bought myself one of these ZHPs and it is lovely... but I cannot find a way to get the old knob off at all! I'm not a weak guy either, but that thing is going nowhere, and I think my back is going to give out before the knob is!
Maybe a hot day is better or something?

Just had another go using our silicon ovengloves and still no joy, but I definitely feel like my back is going to be complaining in the morning... I'm starting to wish my roof came off so I could stand up a bit with it!

 

[enuff_zed]

I finally bought myself one of these ZHPs and it is lovely... but I cannot find a way to get the old knob off at all! I'm not a weak guy either, but that thing is going nowhere, and I think my back is going to give out before the knob is!
Maybe a hot day is better or something?

Just had another go using our silicon ovengloves and still no joy, but I definitely feel like my back is going to be complaining in the morning... I'm starting to wish my roof came off so I could stand up a bit with it!

If you're trying it in a tin top then I think I'd recommend a cricketers box and a gum shield too.

 

[john-e89]

I finally bought myself one of these ZHPs and it is lovely... but I cannot find a way to get the old knob off at all! I'm not a weak guy either, but that thing is going nowhere, and I think my back is going to give out before the knob is!
Maybe a hot day is better or something?

Just had another go using our silicon ovengloves and still no joy, but I definitely feel like my back is going to be complaining in the morning... I'm starting to wish my roof came off so I could stand up a bit with it!

Put the car in 4th gear, engine off obvs, get both hands on your knob... get your chest and tum over your hands and pull, it'll come if you pull it straight up.

 

[meitme]

I finally bought myself one of these ZHPs and it is lovely... but I cannot find a way to get the old knob off at all! I'm not a weak guy either, but that thing is going nowhere, and I think my back is going to give out before the knob is!
Maybe a hot day is better or something?

Just had another go using our silicon ovengloves and still no joy, but I definitely feel like my back is going to be complaining in the morning... I'm starting to wish my roof came off so I could stand up a bit with it!

Put the car in 4th gear, engine off obvs, get both hands on your knob... get your chest and tum over your hands and pull, it'll come if you pull it straight up.

Interesting approach! I'll give it a go in the morning. I wonder if maybe taking it for a spin first may help, although I guess a warm stick may expand and make it trickier, not sure.

 

[meitme]

Well I've tried every position I can think of; chest over, sitting on the armrest etc. and that thing is not budging at all. I feel like I may as well be trying to lift the car! I'm out of ideas now, I feel like it may become a bit of an Arthur's sword thing with calling some mates over to give it a go. It is definitely just held with a clip, is it?

Also, just to check; are the ZHPs designed to be at a slight angle? I've bought an OEM part with BMW logos on the packaging etc. but I was surprised to look into the fitting and see it's not square with the top. I guess it would make sense if it is slightly angled away from the driver to fit in your hand.

 

[enuff_zed]

Also, just to check; are the ZHPs designed to be at a slight angle? I've bought an OEM part with BMW logos on the packaging etc. but I was surprised to look into the fitting and see it's not square with the top. I guess it would make sense if it is slightly angled away from the driver to fit in your hand.

No the slot in the top of the lever is at an angle so it will fit straight once it's on.
Sometimes people try to unscrew the knob which of course snaps it off and then it may have ben glued back on.
If it really won't budge then I guess you could sacrifice if by turning it first?

 

[pvr]

I replaced mine a couple of weeks ago, but it is a roadster so an easy cradle over the gearbox, put it in 4th, bent forward and a firm jerk and off it came.

 

[inkey$]

As above, It sometimes needs severe brute force, and you wont damage anything other than potentially your face.

 

[pvr]

Hence the bending over, you just end up with the gearknob in your stomach then :lol:

 

[meitme]

Also, just to check; are the ZHPs designed to be at a slight angle? I've bought an OEM part with BMW logos on the packaging etc. but I was surprised to look into the fitting and see it's not square with the top. I guess it would make sense if it is slightly angled away from the driver to fit in your hand.

No the slot in the top of the lever is at an angle so it will fit straight once it's on.

Ah I see, thanks. I don't know it I'll turn it as I don't know if I'll like the new one yet! I guess I'll just have to keep trying. This guy's efforts look familar so I'll just keep going- need a bit of a rest first as back/hands etc. are hurting quite a bit at the moment!

[youtube]pa-IntB7NCo[/youtube]

 

[paddy wright]

Just don’t do a sixspeed

 

[inkey$]

If its any consolation, I couldn’t remove the one on my current roadster for love nor money. Standing up in the footwell, two hands, full weight etc. Took it for its service and asked the guy there to try for me and he did it first try with a lot of effort, but clearly more strength than me :lol:

 

[Barty]

Another similar experience here, as well as with a few fellow Zed owners who’ve been in the shop over the last year. In the coupe: sit in the passenger seat, select second (for our UK residents, sixth for LHD). Two hands on the knob and tear out every tendon in your neck and shoulders :roll: You can place your elbows on the tunnel as a point of leverage