What is the best way to remove a stubborn gearshift knob?

[1928Fordman]

I have a couple of really nice gearshift knobs that are stuck and will not screw off. I have tried squirting them with pb blaster with no luck. What tricks have you guys used to get these off without damaging them?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Randy, I have had some success using heated PB Blaster in a crock pot and submerging it for a few hours. Next use some wax & grease remover on the outside of the ball to clean it some to be able to get some grip. Then using a piece of radiator hose slipped over the ball and a chain-wrench over the outside we try to twist it off. The hose just keeps the chain from biting into the Bakelite. Sometimes the ball is too deteriorated and it cracks.

[Fred K-OR]

Maybe buying an aftermarket one is the easiest after using a pipe wrench or use a dremmial (sp) tool on it. Would seem like a hard thing to do. Maybe Brent's idea will work but if it is realy rusted,then my orginal comment may be the only opeion.

[LukeDahlinger]

Strap wrench works pretty well for me. Spray a little Kroil on the threads give it a few minutes to work and 80% of the time they come off.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by 1928Fordman

I have a couple of really nice gearshift knobs that are stuck and will not screw off. I have tried squirting them with pb blaster with no luck. What tricks have you guys used to get these off without damaging them?

Wow, what a timely question..for me too! I asked that question back several weeks ago. Got some of the same answers, i.e.- strap wrench, etc.
Well, I turned the shift tower upside down with the ball still in place. Sprayed the thread area with trans fluid and knockerloose every day and tried to turn the ball...nothing doing for two weeks! Then one day just a hint of a turn. Then more lube and more effort. Oh, and it sat in the 100 degree sun for days/weeks. I'm here today to tell you that persistance pays off, as I lubed/wiped it off and gave a mighty effort. The ball finally came off! She is a beauty..some kind of transucent 'rock' with brass fitting. Tried to fit it on my '39 swan shifter...bummer too small ball thread. I found out that Model A shifter is thinner diam than '39 shifter.
Will end up on sale side of barn.

[Charlie Stephens]

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I wonder if the previous owner decided to glue it on to keep it from coming loose?

Charlie Stephens

[Tom Wesenberg]

Hardtimes, you can make or buy a threaded sleeve adaptor for your special shift knob.

I tried a strap wrench, just like Luke shows, and the ball was too stuck to move. I sprayed some Gibbs on it and waited a week, then it easily unscrewed.

[Jack '29 Sport Coupe]

PB Blaster and a "Ridgid" pipe wrench worked for me. It came off like butter with no
damage.

Jack

[1931 flamingo]

Tom: What is Gibbs? I assume something like Kroil? Where is it available? Price?
Paul in CT

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

Tom: What is Gibbs? I assume something like Kroil? Where is it available? Price?
Paul in CT

Yes, it's like Kroil, but doesn't have the nice smell of Kroil. The last can I bought was $7 about 6 years ago. I don't know where to buy it, but usually the threshing shows have someone selling it, if they have a swap meet at the show.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

I wonder if the previous owner decided to glue it on to keep it from coming loose?

Charlie Stephens

Hey Charlie,
Nah, when finally got if off ..big smile()..I checked carefully for reason(s). NO foreign material found and since the knob metal is brass, I just figured that oxide MIX of brass/iron..after decades is a powerful force to successfully overcome. I say successfully....because I had a ridgid pipe wrench in my hand , at one point, but then went thru a loong mental thot process ...and put it down. Ya know, some days, it just don't pay to be in a hurry!
I do have a question tho for anyone who might know, that is: this knob is 'rock' of some kind with brass insert. How the heck is this brass insert put into this rock so that it can stand such pressure and not come loose

Anyone recognize what type 'rock' this is?

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by fordgarage

By all appearances, I think that 'rock' is actually a residential door knob, not a shift lever ball. Maybe that is why the threads are different. 1939 had same thread size as all Model A and V8 cars. Was it tight because it was a thread mismatch?

Vince,
First, my '39 swan stick is easily larger..guessing 5/16". This knob came off of my original '30 trans shifter stick..guessing 1/4" diam..(sat in open rear yard for decades).
Second, not mismatched and/or cross threaded. The threads on both sticks appear to have same per inch. Once I got the knob off of the stick and washed cleaned out the fluids...it reattaches really nice easy to the stick as threads are perfect. I'm no rock expert, but thinking marble/granite/onyix
And, the heavy brass attachment gives it a pleasing appearance.
I'd bet that a lot of model a guys have some neat/odd, back in the day shift knobs.