Auto gear stick swap
 

I've just bought a Walnut Auto gear stick/knob.

This post shows how to remove the gear stick & change over the knob.
https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=177

Questions:
Has anyone changed the knob WITHOUT removing the stick?
Could it be done this way?

SteveN

It's not actually that hard to pull the shifter out especially if you move the shifter all the way back (ie into '1' ) then get in the back seats and pull from there. Putting the new one in is really just a case of pushing it firmly in.



Any other way would be too much faffing about for what the job is :shrug:

The "stick" is the interlock that requires the button on the knob to be pushed to take it out of park.

The knob itself is best removed by adjusting the drivers seat fully backwards, kneel on the seat facing the rear of the car, reach behind you and the gearknob pulls upwards with a sharp tug.

Arranging the seat and doing the job this way, will ensure you don't end up with a black eye ;)

Brian :D

Thanks for the info guys,

I will follow the suggestion in the link above, ie wood lever option mainly due to the health issue I had recently.:}

SteveN

My new gear stick/knob arrived today and is much darker that in the pictures on ebay:mad:
Has anyone sanded back and re-finished a BMW unit?

Or will I be the Ginny-pig:eek:

SteveN

I ordered one from eBay I think it was from a 5 series that was wood and leather and the wood is a good match for the walnut. Your dash isn't light oak is it ? You also have to remove the release button to swap over the rod as they are different lengths too.

They look brilliant when fitted.

The one I bought 'allegedly' came from a 5 series, and yes my dash is walnut as I swapped from the plastic to the real wood version.

I have removed the switch and rod already.

Looks like I will be stripping back to the wood.

SteveN