Wooden gearshiftstickknob

ItaliAlfa · 15-04-2003

Wooden gearshiftstickknob

I couldn't discribe it better than that wink
I just bought me a new knob from Zender and i want to replace it with the wooden version in my 156. I,ve searched for it on this forum but could only find that this procedure is a big AO secret. Please AO, reveal it to me

I know somewhere i,ve read to just saw it away (vertically)or to just pull it off which i think is not so good for my car and my physical health wink

Help

15-04-2003

It's a fairly simple and painful procedure involving a saw and/or hammer & chisel. I'm sure you get the idea.

If there is an easier way to remove it, I'd like to hear it too, as I've had to remove 2 wooden gearknobs and this was the only method which proved successful. Pulling it, twisting/turning does not work.

Be prepared to vacuum your car out afterwards as it will be covered in saw-dust.

Nareman.

ItaliAlfa · 15-04-2003

Thanks, i will get the vacuumcleaner and saw

15-04-2003

Are you having a laugh?

My 2.0TS has the wood trim and the gearknob has quite a few scratches on it. I have now bought a new/nicer wooden item off of ebay.

Its a genuine Alfa part and in the picture it looks really good and comes complete with leather gaters for gear stick and handbrake.

So do i really have to saw the old one off? Surely if you wack it with a hammer you stand a fair chance of knocking something out of alignment?

Please help.

15-04-2003

I'm no expert and I welcome any suggestions from members who have found easier ways to remove the gearknob, but I wouldn't recommend wacking it too hard as it may damage things at the other end of the shaft.

The only way to remove the gearknob (wooden or leather/plastic) is unforunately to destroy it.

I chose the leather/titanium gearknob from the 147 which fits the 156 quite nicely.

Nareman.

Ivo · 15-04-2003

Actually, I believe there is a complete instruction + pictures of this operation in a Spider on the web, will check ....

Wisrute B. · 16-04-2003

The leather/plastic gear knob took a good 15-20 minutes to be 'gently' pulled out. The mechanic was very careful not to exert too much force or the other end of the shaft could have been damaged. But in the end, the gear knob came off, but the lower part of it is slightly torn.

I haven't seen a real wooden gear knob on 156, but I'd imagine it being more difficult to remove. Just be careful.

16-04-2003

ok guys i now have the new gear knob.

It has a dark wood spherical knob set on a turned aluminium shaft. Very nice i think!

Anyway the genuine alfa instructions say that you just pull the old knob off! (by hand!)

I 'll let you know how i get on with pulling my knob off tonight!

16-04-2003

laughing

16-04-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by curvature:
ok guys i now have the new gear knob.

It has a dark wood spherical knob set on a turned aluminium shaft. Very nice i think!

Anyway the genuine alfa instructions say that you just pull the old knob off! (by hand!)

I 'll let you know how i get on with pulling my knob off tonight!

<hr /></blockquote>Beware the curse of the "white stains on dashboard"....(see other posts!) And remember...they said "Gently..."

Wisrute B. · 16-04-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by curvature:

I 'll let you know how i get on with pulling my knob off tonight!

<hr /></blockquote>laughing laughing laughing

As mentioned, just pull...

16-04-2003

There's too much knob pulling going on this forum and then we get a thread on white stains!!! naughty I think the same principle applies to removing the knob from a Vauxhall (open door, grab the **** with the baseball cap on...) sorry, as I was saying I think you do need to cut it off. "Pull off gently", that seems to come start out of a Haynes manual! Besides you know fine well you will end up swearing at or whacking yourself in the head as it comes off! laughing

ItaliAlfa · 16-04-2003

Hey guys, i,ve just pulled it off

I was walking all afternoon around my 156 with a saw but just couldn,t do it. Then i thought lets see on AO if there,s a solution from my Alfa-friends wink
I sit in the car and then gently pulled it off, it worked!! ( no white stains btw) Then i installed the new Zender one, the whole procedure just 5 minutes!! I,m so proud off myself

Here,s the proof...
http://www.angelfire.com/fl5/j_vdvee...s/IM000003.JPG

16-04-2003

Give that man a hand for getting his knob off! laughing

Che Boludo · 16-04-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by jake speed:
Give that man a hand for getting his knob off! laughing <hr /></blockquote>Wouldn't want to deprive you of the pleasure!! Why don't you give him a hand?

16-04-2003

Hey well done. Believe me, I tried and tried but it didn't work with for me.

Nareman.

16-04-2003

Hey nice one.

Didn't manage to pull my knob tyonight

Had the inlaws over.

THROTTLEMAN · 16-04-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by ItaliAlfa:
 I,m so proud off myself

Here,s the proof...
<hr /></blockquote>It seems a photoshop work to me

Kidding IA!!

wink Well done

Ivo · 17-04-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by ItaliAlfa:
Hey guys, i,ve just pulled it off

I was walking all afternoon around my 156 with a saw but just couldn,t do it. Then i thought lets see on AO if there,s a solution from my Alfa-friends wink
I sit in the car and then gently pulled it off, it worked!! ( no white stains btw) Then i installed the new Zender one, the whole procedure just 5 minutes!! I,m so proud off myself

Here,s the proof...
http://www.angelfire.com/fl5/j_vdvee...s/IM000003.JPG<hr /></blockquote>And now a new console and then you the man !!!

Well done

ItaliAlfa · 17-04-2003

Yes Ivo, i,ve got a new one already. Still thinking what color to spray. Maybe you guys have ideas. The same color as my car is to dark i suppose (Verde Amazzonnia). Alu-look will be nice i think. The ashtray will be left away, so i can mount oil temp and oil pressure instruments.
Something like this: