Removing automatic gear lever knob

Fraser Mitchell · 2nd January 2009, 12:39

Hi Folks

At great expense I have bought a very nice walnut, chrome and leather gear lever handle for my 75 automatic from SMC Trading, (actually the price was pretty good for a brand new item).

The problem I am having is that I cannot pull the old gear handle off !! According to the Rover manual, (on the CD handed out at the Carsington Meet), the lever should be put into the neutral position, and then the handle can be pulled off vertically. The manual also cautions against having one's face too close when pulling in case the handle suddenly releases and bangs into your face. So clearly MG Rover recognised that removal needs a fair old pull. The trouble is I just cannot shift it even with hernia-inducing effort.

What I would like to know is if there is a "knack" to pulling it off. Anything that could assist before I get out mallets and grippers. Does the current cold weather make any difference ?

Tim · 2nd January 2009, 12:45

I tapped mine down first before a humongous pull up. It worked after two attempts. Need to be courageous

stocktake · 2nd January 2009, 13:13

Hi,

Can confirm, doesn't have to be in Neutral. Don crash helmet to avoid self harm.

and a sharp tug does it

StevenWilliams · 2nd January 2009, 17:16

Just give it a really big tug. (Unless the previous owner has glued it in for some reason)

stuart080973 · 2nd January 2009, 18:50

where is a good place and price for a walnut and black leather auto gear stick handle? Ebay have them for £70 plus postage.

stocktake · 2nd January 2009, 18:54

http://smctrading.topcities.com/forum.html

stuart080973 · 2nd January 2009, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by stocktake

http://smctrading.topcities.com/forum.html

Cheers for the infromation, very handy thanks.

Fraser Mitchell · 4th January 2009, 08:43

Thanks for everybody's help. I finally managed to pull the gear knob off by a combination of clouting with a wooden mallet, and a hernia-inducing pull. Fortunately, no hernia !!

The new walnut and leather knob does look good. I was thinking of getting the steering wheel to match, but worry about how much grip one can get on the wood sections. I have the grey-coloured steering wheel trim, plus cruise and radio controls on the wheel. It does seem an awful lot of money to spend, though.

stuart080973 · 4th January 2009, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fraser Mitchell

Thanks for everybody's help. I finally managed to pull the gear knob off by a combination of clouting with a wooden mallet, and a hernia-inducing pull. Fortunately, no hernia !!

The new walnut and leather knob does look good. I was thinking of getting the steering wheel to match, but worry about how much grip one can get on the wood sections. I have the grey-coloured steering wheel trim, plus cruise and radio controls on the wheel. It does seem an awful lot of money to spend, though.

Where did you get your Walnut Gear stick, and also where are you looking for the Wooden steering Wheel as these are the 2 things i wish to fit to my 75.

Tim · 4th January 2009, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fraser Mitchell

Thanks for everybody's help. I finally managed to pull the gear knob off by a combination of clouting with a wooden mallet, and a hernia-inducing pull. Fortunately, no hernia !!

The new walnut and leather knob does look good. I was thinking of getting the steering wheel to match, but worry about how much grip one can get on the wood sections. I have the grey-coloured steering wheel trim, plus cruise and radio controls on the wheel. It does seem an awful lot of money to spend, though.

Do it! Looks the dogs. Just keep to the leather bits during the winter

2nd January 2009, 12:39	#1
Fraser Mitchell Gets stuck in Rover 75 2.5 V6 Club Auto Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Crewe Posts: 898 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Removing automatic gear lever knob Hi Folks At great expense I have bought a very nice walnut, chrome and leather gear lever handle for my 75 automatic from SMC Trading, (actually the price was pretty good for a brand new item). The problem I am having is that I cannot pull the old gear handle off !! According to the Rover manual, (on the CD handed out at the Carsington Meet), the lever should be put into the neutral position, and then the handle can be pulled off vertically. The manual also cautions against having one's face too close when pulling in case the handle suddenly releases and bangs into your face. So clearly MG Rover recognised that removal needs a fair old pull. The trouble is I just cannot shift it even with hernia-inducing effort. What I would like to know is if there is a "knack" to pulling it off. Anything that could assist before I get out mallets and grippers. Does the current cold weather make any difference ?

2nd January 2009, 12:45	#2
Tim Feel the size of my Quads MG ZT 440SE, MG HS PHEV & MG3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Addlestone Posts: 1,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 128 Times in 85 Posts	I tapped mine down first before a humongous pull up. It worked after two attempts. Need to be courageous __________________ Member 23 or 63 depending on what you look at. https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc26...0rum/forum.php http://two-sixties-blog.com/ http://www.youtube.com/user/TheTwoSi.../1/1wPt2rhd_Ps

2nd January 2009, 13:13	#3
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,591 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	Hi, Can confirm, doesn't have to be in Neutral. Don crash helmet to avoid self harm. and a sharp tug does it __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident

2nd January 2009, 17:16	#4
StevenWilliams This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon 2.5 V6 British Racing Green. 81,000 miles and counting Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Crawley, West Sussex Posts: 6,183 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Just give it a really big tug. (Unless the previous owner has glued it in for some reason) __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Rover 75 2.5 2000 Club SE. British Racing Green. MEMBER NUMBER: MMMDCCXXVI Looking for: 7 seater

2nd January 2009, 18:50	#5
stuart080973 Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon Club SE Auto 2000 2.5L V6 British Racing Green Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 107 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	where is a good place and price for a walnut and black leather auto gear stick handle? Ebay have them for £70 plus postage. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Long Live the Rover 75

2nd January 2009, 18:54	#6
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,591 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	http://smctrading.topcities.com/forum.html __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident

4th January 2009, 08:43	#8
Fraser Mitchell Gets stuck in Rover 75 2.5 V6 Club Auto Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Crewe Posts: 898 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for everybody's help. I finally managed to pull the gear knob off by a combination of clouting with a wooden mallet, and a hernia-inducing pull. Fortunately, no hernia !! The new walnut and leather knob does look good. I was thinking of getting the steering wheel to match, but worry about how much grip one can get on the wood sections. I have the grey-coloured steering wheel trim, plus cruise and radio controls on the wheel. It does seem an awful lot of money to spend, though.