auto shift knob removal - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

VW1300 · #1 07-22-2008, 10:47 PM

I'm thinking of getting a fancy shift knob for my '85 300D...the black plastic one is kind of plain for such a fine car. Question - how do I get this one off without damaging anything?

thanks,

Charlie

turbobenz · #2 07-22-2008, 10:49 PM

you take the wood console out. then you undo the 4 10mm screws that hold the black plastic shifter box thing down. Then you lift that up and youll see a locking nut configuration on the shifter shaft. I think their 13mm's. You have to turn them opposite directions and then it unlocks. You can them turn the shifter to unscrew it. Installation is reverse of removal. its just annoying to line it up straight as you lock the nuts but youll get it.

jim messina · #3 07-23-2008, 06:14 AM

Don't mean to hijack this thread but I had a zebrano knob given to me. Is there anyway to get just the old knob off without doing any damage?

Jim

JHogan · #4 07-23-2008, 06:28 AM

See post #2.

teezer · #5 07-23-2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim messina

Don't mean to hijack this thread but I had a zebrano knob given to me. Is there anyway to get just the old knob off without doing any damage?

Jim

the shift knob is molded onto the shift lever ~~~ only way to get it off is to cut it off, real pain in the arse ~~~ once you get all the knob pieces off there's a circular disc on the top of the shift lever which will prevent any replacement

jim messina · #6 07-23-2008, 04:33 PM

Thanks teezer you saved me some hassel. The guy who gave me the knob(off a 380) just pulled it off and I was going to put it on my sd and I was hoping to do the same but its not worth the hasel of replacing the lever so I'll just leave it stock.

Jim

pawoSD · #7 07-23-2008, 04:59 PM

If I find a wood knob sometime I will put it in my car.....that'd be cool. I am not willing to spend $50+ on one though.

VW1300 · #8 07-23-2008, 10:53 PM

thanks for the replies. This sounds like more work than I feel like doing right now...may wait until the weather cools off to do this non-essential job.

ImBroke · #9 07-24-2008, 07:26 AM

It's really not that difficult. takes about 15 minutes if you're slow.

bustedbenz · #10 07-24-2008, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImBroke

It's really not that difficult. takes about 15 minutes if you're slow.

Assuming your center console which you have removed five times already doesn't decide that *THIS* is going to be the time it just snaps all to pieces and refuses to reinstall, causing a week-long headache... That's my only frustration with these cars. 20+ year old plastic is just (at least in my sun-baked case) an invitation for hard-to-replace plastic clips and tabs of all shapes and sizes to finally give up the ghost.

That said, I'd probably try putting a wooden shifter in mine too if I could find one

ImBroke · #11 07-24-2008, 11:01 AM

Ouch, that sucks.

bustedbenz · #12 07-24-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImBroke

Ouch, that sucks.

Mine hasn't quite gotten that desperate yet but I've been in there for the radio a time or two, the window switches a time or two... it's getting pretty shaky, I feel. Just figured everybody else's might be just about that bad.

teezer · #13 07-24-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bustedbenz

assuming your center console which you have removed five times already doesn't decide that *this* is going to be the time it just snaps all to pieces and refuses to reinstall, causing a week-long headache... That's my only frustration with these cars. 20+ year old plastic is just (at least in my sun-baked case) an invitation for hard-to-replace plastic clips and tabs of all shapes and sizes to finally give up the ghost.

That said, i'd probably try putting a wooden shifter in mine too if i could find one :d

well said, taken mine apart 4 times and cringe each time, waiting for that snag to ruin my day