removing shifter knob from 82 Spider

[ylbill]

Hi, I just purchased a different shifter knob for my 82 124 Spider. Tried removing the old one, but it doesn't seem to want to come off. Anyone have any tricks on getting these stubborn knobs off? Thanks

[gchocevar]

Try a couple of jewlers screwdrivers to pry the white plastic snap ring from the underside of the chrome shift lever. The hardest part is pressing the snap ring back in place.

When pulling the chrome shifter lever off make sure you don't loose any of the rubber spacers. Otherwise, you will have a loose shifter after it's all put back together.

Remember, have fun and talk to it in Italian!

[ylbill]

Thanks for the reply. I'm actually just trying to remove the knob itself. Isn't it just threaded at the top of the lever?

Been to Italy a couple of times, but can't speak the language. I'll have to brush up on it.

I always have fun though.

Thanks

[124JOE]

yes it just un screws

mine is loose all the time

[ylbill]

Thanks Joe, that's what I thought. Guess this one just doesn't want to come off. Just didn't know if anyone had any little trick to getting these off with messing up the chrome on shifter shaft. Guess I'll just keep working it.

[124JOE]

it kind of radical but
wrap a rubber bunjie cord around the crome bar and put a pipe wrench on it,
then put a pipe wrench on the old knob and give the sh#%.joe

[drovak]

A little less drastic of a maneuver would be to get some clean bicycle inner tube and use that for traction. That way you are guaranteed not to scratch anything up or crush anything. Also, that perforated foamy stuff they line kitchen cabinets with (some people use it to open jars) may be a good choice too. Anything that'll give you a little more friction should work.

Quick question: is the chromed shaft supposed to be free to rotate on the transmission arm? Mine is quite free, and thus all the gears look inverted or sideways (or sometimes right-side up) depending on where it is. It always confuses me when I see "R" where 1st gear should be!

Kyle

[124JOE]

yes they spin and spin

[ylbill]

Some great ideas. Sounds like one of those should work. Thanks!

[jimmycakes401]

okay. Now how do I get this thing back ON? LOL

[gchocevar]

Its' been a year since I fooled around with it. You need to push that plastic clip up with a couple of small screwdrivers while somone holds the chrome tube down.

There has to be a special tool. This was worse then removing the whole transmission.

Good luck...and talk to it in Italian.

[124JOE]

It pushes on

[YVRSpider]

I just went through the identical problem yesterday and basically, there is a 17mm nut that is built and fused into the centre of the knob. Mine was the original black leather style knob that has a foam core. The problem was that the foam was no longer able to stay fused to the inner 17mm nut so when you turned the knob, it just kept spinning on the threaded nut that was on the inside. Since I didn't care about the old knob, I just took a sharp utility knife and sliced right up two sides of the old knob and it cut open like a piece of cheese and peeled away from the inner 17mm nut. Once I had it to that point, I was able to just slip a 17mm wrench on the nut and unscrew it. Worked perfect but if you currently have a wooden or hard plastic knob I guess that approach won't likely be an option.