Shift knob install and drivetrain damage.
 

Hey guys,

I'm trying to get a definite answer on whether or not I need to remove the console cover to replace my shift knob. Ideally, i would like to just be able to not remove anything and loosen the knob, but apparently the knobs are on so tight that exerting that kinda force on the shifter may cause some damage. How many of you guys have been able to just twist off the OEM knob without holding the shifter via vice grip or anything like that? How tight was it? I tried twisting it off by itself with my hands yesterday and even with a pretty good amount of force, it wouldn't come off. Opinions? THanks in advance.

Tim

It doesn't take a lot of effort getting underneath. All you need to do is grab in with two hands and slowly pull up the console cover. You wouldn't want to just twist it. Taking it out the first time around for me was very hard. I had to badly tear apart the OEM knob. Just grab a couple of vice grips. Twist and check if the bottom part is twisting along with the knob. I'm pretty sure this was already discussed in the DIY. Hope this helps.

thanks for the advice, i think im gonna go with your advice. Where are the clips located at? where should i pull? should i pull on the 2 sides of the shift boot or top and bottom? thanks again.

You should be able to get a trim tool under the silver ring and slowly lift up (or push down on/in the leather, and pull up from the bottom). The trim ring should just pop off.

WARNING: Be prepared. Tape the area around the ring to avoid scratches. Once you pop the ring off, there really isn't a good place for it to go (until you remove the knob). If you leave it loose it will flop around, and the metal clips that hold it in place will scratch the hell out of your center console. Either tape the surrounding area, or tape over the metal clips (or be like me and do both).

Got it. So no preference to where i pull? just pick two points on the ring and pull? i would like to know where the clips are so i can pull on those locations.

Yeah just reach under the silver ring and pull up, won't be hard.

My shift knob spun right off with a strap wrench, and yes, definitely use something to prvent the shaft from spinning while your loosening the knob. Also with the strap wrench there was no damage to the shift knob.

just finished installing the shift knob. TWM 440 gram type r knob with engraving. I don't know how in the bloody hell those stock knobs are tightened but they wouldn't let go until i've turned it maybe 10 times. I'm glad i decided to hold down the shaft with a vice grip - i think the darn thing woulda ripped apart the entire tranny if i didnt. Everything else was pretty self explanatory and i used small black zip ties to tie the boot. Loving the new knob - makes shifting so much smoother and takes away the shifter vibration significantly as well. Thanks for all your help guys.

Glad it worked out.

Post a pic if you can!

funny story gentlemen, I took my stock knob off with my bare hands, got a bit of carpet burn on my left hand, but a few good hard twists got it off, while its good practice to hold the shaft with grips while simultaneously twisting, it really has no effect on your transmission, btw, this shift knob is the truth.. VVVV

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...65b86e04b9.jpg

Looks nice, but I can't believe that something as simple in other car as changing a shift knob can be so difficult in the Z to change. :shakes head:

The Z is special. Especially in those sensitive parts. You gotta be gentle.

I just replaced my stock shift knob for a nismo CF. I really like it and it was not that hard. With the nismo shift knob came a set of instructions. Nissan says in order to remove your shift knob you need two pieces of radiator hose. Lift up on the console to get at the actually shifter. Then wrap a piece of radiator hose around the shifter. After wrap another piece around the shift knob. Use two set of channel locks to hold both pieces of radiator hose and then twist the shift knob off.

:rofl2:

Some jerk broke into my z and twisted the shift knob 90 degrees counter clockwise. I doubt he used a wrench to prevent the shaft from twisting. Taking the car into the dealer on Saturday to check it out - but it drives fine so I doubt there is tranny damage. Lesson here: remember to lock your damn cars.

Took my car to a dealership today to take off my stock knob, I told him i brought it in because i didnt want to go through the hassle of taking off the whole assembly as described in a DIY here somewhere.

A Mechanic told me its ok to twist off the knob since the shaft is not directly in the transmission?

Yeah, i was confused, but he took off the knob (without damage) with a strap wrench and a towel. It hurt to see him apply so much force to the knob, but eventually it let loose.

Someone tell me that i did not just screw myself over with this tranny.

the car seems to run fine, and gears are smooth. no problems in performance or sound... as of yet... =( i had a feeling of being happy and sad at the same time.

Here is a pic of the installed nismo shift knob. it was previously on my 08 350z. it fits like a charm =)

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/a...3222010021.jpg
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/a...3222010024.jpg
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/a...3222010020.jpg

That sh1t is gonna get HOT during the summer! Looks great though!

Yeah i carry around a nismo beanie for the summer times... =)

Lookin' good!

just reading this thread gives me the shivers... the fact that you're pulling that thing off... man... what if it breaks? hehe i know for some folks this isn't a task at all, but just the thought of someone doing it gives me the chills...

yeah, when i saw the tech apply so much force trying to twist it off, i wanted to cry.

but the car drives fine and smooth... for now...

i takes like 10 seconds to get that panel off with a butter knife without damaging anything, then put a channel lock on the shifter shaft under the panel and twist like hell on the knob and you're done with no worries. I tore the entire transmission out of my car, installed a clutch and fly wheel and got everything put back together according to the manual, torqued to spec with loctite where needed in 3 days working on it about 5 hours a day by myself. On another note the dealership that replaced my transmission under warranty right before the car went in to storage screwed up and i had to buy another control rod dust boot because they let it hang against the driveshaft and it tore a huge gaping hole in it.

In another words, dont trust the dealers?!

no the moral of the story is make sure do a visual double check on the entire car after having dealer work done, and never work on a car yourself so when you go back to show them pictures of them F***ing up the A-hole service manager doesn't tell you "oh you have the linkage apart and could replace the boot in 5 mins and be done with it? well in that case I can't give you the boot for free because your working on it yourself. you can buy it at the parts counter though" - Gandrud Nissan of Green Bay Wisconsin. You try to get it done in a day and save them 2.5 hours of labor he would have to pay a tech to do it and he tells you to go home spend an hour putting it back together, just to bring it in and wait an F'ing week to get it done so he can claim it was warranty and recover his costs even though it was an installation mistake on the dealerships part (he actually told me they would run it through as warranty work when i told him i could save him money). Thats the last time my car will ever go there again. I'll tow it 40 miles to the next dealership on my friends car trailer before i bring it back to them.