Auto Gear Knob - Grrrr

Rickshaw · 16th October 2017, 17:22

Have acquired a really nice leather gear knob (still on it’s stick/shaft) and gaiter to replace the worn one on one of my 75’s. I know these things should pull off ( with a LOT of effort) in Neutral but is almost impossible ( wrist strain!!). Then I came across this very useful ‘How to replace your Auto Gear stick’ https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...read.php?t=177 showing that removal of the gear knob switch ( stick a knife under the lower edge and lever out) then allows you to slide the knob off the stick. I tried this on the new knob - and it worked. Great , I thought , if I remove the switch from the currently installed knob on the car in the same way then I can replace the old knob by the new one. Problem is , try as I may I cannot get the switch out.
Has anyone ever tried this way ? What could stop this approach working ? Doe the car have to be in N or P etc ?
Any observations appreciated since this is most frustrating .

COLVERT · 17th October 2017, 21:01

The how to says neutral. The switch should come out unless someone glued it in.---

RogerHeinz57 · 18th October 2017, 10:20

I have yet to come across one that refuses to yield, but it cannot be ruled out that at some point, yours may have been glued into position. On the ones I have changed, I simply grasp the lever, gently twist left, then right a little while pulling upwards. Some yield with a small cracking noise but nothing detrimental seems to happen. If yours won't turn even a tiny bit either way, I think you may be in trouble as the plastic straw type of rod plays an important part in selecting the lever position. If the straw piece inside the lever is not fitted, the lever can be moved into any of the positions with or without the button being used.

Hope this helps, and good luck with this.

dbt01 · 18th October 2017, 10:29

Anyone know off hand if that's the same for the V8's in auto or manual guise.
The boxes are of course totally different, being Ford Mustang, and the auto-selector knob is very different in appearance.

David

Dominic22 · 18th October 2017, 10:48

The V8's are very easy to remove. The 260 unscrews and the 75 V8 has a very small hex screw that you remove with an allen key and comes straight off

dbt01 · 18th October 2017, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dominic22

... the 75 V8 has a very small hex screw that you remove with an allen key and comes straight off

Thanks for that info, Dom! Never noticed that; I'll go and stand on my head in the foot-well and take a look! The leather on mine is coming un-glued a bit and needs attention before it rips or stretches and distorts which would make repair trickier.

David

Rickshaw · 20th October 2017, 19:24

Thanks to all - especially Rogerheinz. VERY forcibly twisting to right , left several times plus a final , huge upward thrust and the gear knob shot off. I knew, by the way , it was not glued on in any way because I put it on in the first place!!. Anyway , I now have splendid black , perforated leather on Gear knob/gaiter , handbrake handle/gaiter and steering wheel. Most of it I lifted from a ruined ZT in a breakers yard , cleaned and polished up like new. Also lifted a splendid stereo which works fine. This car is SO smooth to drive ( as they all are really).

stevenicks · 21st October 2017, 06:05

I just love a happy ending

.

bazza004 · 20th March 2018, 11:38

Easiest way...pull down gaitor to reveal underside...length of 2"x1/2"
wood...place wood 1/2" up against lower of gearknob...tap with hammer off she pops...

16th October 2017, 17:22	#1
Rickshaw Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer, 2 X75 Saloon , MGTF Sunstorm Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Guildford Posts: 380 Thanks: 497 Thanked 172 Times in 93 Posts	Auto Gear Knob - Grrrr Have acquired a really nice leather gear knob (still on it’s stick/shaft) and gaiter to replace the worn one on one of my 75’s. I know these things should pull off ( with a LOT of effort) in Neutral but is almost impossible ( wrist strain!!). Then I came across this very useful ‘How to replace your Auto Gear stick’ https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...read.php?t=177 showing that removal of the gear knob switch ( stick a knife under the lower edge and lever out) then allows you to slide the knob off the stick. I tried this on the new knob - and it worked. Great , I thought , if I remove the switch from the currently installed knob on the car in the same way then I can replace the old knob by the new one. Problem is , try as I may I cannot get the switch out. Has anyone ever tried this way ? What could stop this approach working ? Doe the car have to be in N or P etc ? Any observations appreciated since this is most frustrating .

20th October 2017, 19:24	#7
Rickshaw Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer, 2 X75 Saloon , MGTF Sunstorm Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Guildford Posts: 380 Thanks: 497 Thanked 172 Times in 93 Posts	Done at last Thanks to all - especially Rogerheinz. VERY forcibly twisting to right , left several times plus a final , huge upward thrust and the gear knob shot off. I knew, by the way , it was not glued on in any way because I put it on in the first place!!. Anyway , I now have splendid black , perforated leather on Gear knob/gaiter , handbrake handle/gaiter and steering wheel. Most of it I lifted from a ruined ZT in a breakers yard , cleaned and polished up like new. Also lifted a splendid stereo which works fine. This car is SO smooth to drive ( as they all are really).

21st October 2017, 06:05	#8
stevenicks This is my second home MG ZT 180 Auto / Rover 75 2.0 Diesel Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Brecon. Posts: 7,465 Thanks: 3,297 Thanked 1,666 Times in 1,264 Posts	I just love a happy ending . __________________ "You're Not Laughing Now Are You?" Steve

17th October 2017, 21:01	#2
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	The how to says neutral. The switch should come out unless someone glued it in.---

18th October 2017, 10:20	#3
RogerHeinz57 I really should get out more....... A Reasonably Priced Car Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Burton Latimer Posts: 2,530 Thanks: 408 Thanked 1,064 Times in 712 Posts	I have yet to come across one that refuses to yield, but it cannot be ruled out that at some point, yours may have been glued into position. On the ones I have changed, I simply grasp the lever, gently twist left, then right a little while pulling upwards. Some yield with a small cracking noise but nothing detrimental seems to happen. If yours won't turn even a tiny bit either way, I think you may be in trouble as the plastic straw type of rod plays an important part in selecting the lever position. If the straw piece inside the lever is not fitted, the lever can be moved into any of the positions with or without the button being used. Hope this helps, and good luck with this.

18th October 2017, 10:29	#4
dbt01 Retired Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 378 Thanks: 15 Thanked 106 Times in 85 Posts	Anyone know off hand if that's the same for the V8's in auto or manual guise. The boxes are of course totally different, being Ford Mustang, and the auto-selector knob is very different in appearance. David

18th October 2017, 10:48	#5
Dominic22 Posted a thing or two Rover 75 V8 Plus Others Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Swadlincote Posts: 1,603 Thanks: 18 Thanked 163 Times in 81 Posts	The V8's are very easy to remove. The 260 unscrews and the 75 V8 has a very small hex screw that you remove with an allen key and comes straight off

20th March 2018, 11:38	#9
bazza004 Avid contributor none Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Newton Aycliffe Posts: 243 Thanks: 53 Thanked 27 Times in 21 Posts	Easiest way...pull down gaitor to reveal underside...length of 2"x1/2" wood...place wood 1/2" up against lower of gearknob...tap with hammer off she pops...