Removing stuck shift lever knob
 

I have a shift lever assembly that has a decent original knob on it. However, I can't remove it from the shaft. It is hard to get a good grip on the knob to try to turn it. I hate to heat the shaft as it might mess up the knob. Penetrating oil hasn't worked for me well on loosening parts in the past as well as heat does, but maybe if I soak it for a few weeks in penetrating oil, it might work. I don't think penetrating oil would damage the black knob, but I am not sure. Does anyone have a good way to get it off?
Rusty Nelson

Re: Removing stuck shift lever knob
 

Maybe heat the shaft up but do it far enough away that the heat doesn't warp the knob?
Otherwise kroil it for a few days/weeks.

Mike

Re: Removing stuck shift lever knob
 

How about one of those rubber band wrenches. Won't mark the knob. Jeff

Re: Removing stuck shift lever knob
 

JDupuis,
I never though of using a rubber band wrench. I have a couple of them, they are for larger diameter items, but the smaller one might work - thanks for the suggestion.
Rusty Nelson

Re: Removing stuck shift lever knob
 

I've got an old piece of a thick leather belt that works good for things like that. Just wrap it around to cushion it from the teeth marks of your favorite wrench.
A little Kroil penetrating oil should help a lot as well.

Re: Removing stuck shift lever knob
 

Re: Removing stuck shift lever knob
 

I had a original mushroom knob that was stuck pretty good. and I heated the shaft red hot about four inches from the knob three times letting the heat travel down the shaft and let it cool completely between each time. the knob came right off. I have used the wax method to some times it work good.

Re: Removing stuck shift lever knob
 

It may take a few days, but Kroil has always worked for me.
Glenn in Camino

Re: Removing stuck shift lever knob
 

I had a knob the same way. I used a rubber strap wrench, which gave a good grip, but it still wouldn't budge. I sprayed GIBBS on it and a week later I unscrewed it with my hand. I still can't figure that one out, as I've never seen such a change by just using GIBBS.

Re: Removing stuck shift lever knob
 

I have removed a tight knob by wrapping a piece of leather around the knob like mentioned above. I then put a hose clamp around it, tightened the snot out of it, grabbed it with a big pair of channel lock pliers and presto came right off. Not chewing up the knob at all.The stick was out of the car and clamped in a vice. I don't know if I would want to torque to much on it in the trans. top though. I would hate to shear the little pins off the stick if the knob was really tight due to severe rust or for what ever made it that tight.

Re: Removing stuck shift lever knob
 

If you have the shift tower off perhaps placing the knob in boiling water for a while will loosen it up.

Re: Removing stuck shift lever knob
 

I think its tough to beat Gibb's. It had done some amazing things for me.