How to remove shift knob ??? on 500 sl

[chillcat]

I'm replacing my stock shift knob with a nice burlwood/leather knob---I looked over the one in there now and cannot figure out how this comes out ???? 91 500sl

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by chillcat

I'm replacing my stock shift knob with a nice burlwood/leather knob---I looked over the one in there now and cannot figure out how this comes out ???? 91 500sl

Just a thought.....I did this also, switched to a "Nice" leather/burlwood knob, without checking on the reputation of the manufacturer of the aftermarket knob, and after some years, found the leather portion of the aftermarket shift knob to be pretty poor, it wore badly and now looks pretty bad. Unfortunately I didn't keep the original knob, I wished I did, today.

[chillcat]

oh I will save the original incase I change my mind, but do you know how to remove the stock knob ?

[Jim B.]

Honestly, no, I paid the mechnic to install it, when the car was in for other service. I don't think it was too difficult though

[deanyel]

In that era the shaft must come off with the knob, which requires removing some of the console. If you purchased knob only without the shaft you would have to cut off the old knob and fasten the new knob to the shaft.

[Lee Wireless]

The knob is in two pieces. Grab the smaller section under the shifter knob and rotate counter-clockwise. It then drops down and the shifter knob is pulled straight off of the shaft. My ML is easy to turn but my SL was really hard to break free. Good luck.

[chillcat]

no my shift knob, its 1 piece of leather knob--no seperate peices to unscrew.

[Lee Wireless]

If your shifter Knob looks like this then it is two pieces. Note the second photo. I've turned the bottom piece counter-clockwise and it has dropped down and the knob is ready to be lifted off the stalk. Hope this helps.

[chillcat]

Lee, my knob does not look like yours. Mine is a 1 piece leather knob. I was hoping this came off somehow. But if I have to take the shifter arm out too, how would I remove the stock knob off the stock shifter and then put this other knob on? Or do I need a new shifter too---I believe the knob I bought off ebay is the same as YOURS, 2 piece knob,

[Lee Wireless]

My guess is a new shifter because the knob you bought needs a special slot machined into the top of it. The old shifter should just unscrew but get a flashlight and look closely thru the shifter gate.

[Red SL]

The shift is the problem! With newer shifts you can change the knobs easily simply unscrew and remove. You must get a new shift with a matching knob (two pieces). This job is cumbersome, but if you have the tolerant you can do it. Remove the plastic trim from around the shifter. To remove the old shift and knob (one piece) you must take a vise grip and unscrew the shift. The spring loaded female receptacle will move inward. You must use something straight and narrow to get it back to the neutral position while screw in the new shift. The new shift comes with a jamnut screw the jamnut all the way up because the new shift must tighten in the “Just Right” position or you won’t be able to remove the key, move the shift to low gear, or the car want go to the neutral position. After you tighten the shift in the “Just Right” position simply screw the new knob on and reinstall the plastic trim. Good Luck!

[BENZ-LGB]

I tried this when I changed the shift knob on my 300CE.

I am not sure if it will work on your car, however.

ShiftKnob