DIY: crooked shift knob fix for $2 and 5 minutes
#1
DIY: crooked shift **** fix for $2 and 5 minutes
So I had a crooked shift **** for the last year. I took my car in to the dealer for service and when I got it back the **** was crooked. I didn't have time to bring it back, so it was something I just lived with for a while. It bugged me enough to finally spend some time to investigate what was wrong.
After browsing some posts on here and asking questions, it turns out I was missing a little washer/spacer that goes on the shift lever separating the **** a little bit. So if your **** is crooked, remove it by twisting it off. There should be a copper colored washer on the shift lever, if its missing, this DIY will help you resolve it. If its there, this DIY is not for you, something is probably stripped and beyond the scope of this write up. Since the dealer does not sell this spacer without the ****, I decided to try and find a resolution on my own.
Parts Needed:
-3/4" plastic pipe plug
Tools Needed:
-caliper or measuring device
-pliers (preferably needle nose)
-rotary tool w/ cut-off wheel and abrasive stone/sander
-safety glasses
-pliers
-screwdriver
Procedure:
1. cut plug to length (~13.0 mm)
2. remove shift ****
3. install spacer
4. reinstall shift ****
5. if **** is not oriented properly, trim spacer and repeat
Write up:
So the first thing you need to do it go to your local hardware store and buy a 3/4" pipe plug. This comes in plastic, brass, and some other materials. I chose plastic for its price($1.70 at my local Home Depot) and its ease to work with. The plug I got has an inside diameter of ~11.5 mm and an outside diameter of ~17.0 mm, which is perfect for what need. Someone told me the length of their OEM spacer is ~8.0 mm, i tried this and it was much too short. According to my measurements, you want something around 13.0 mm. Hold the plug with the pliers and use the rotary tool with cut off wheel to cut off the end of the pipe plug. Remember when cutting a little long is better than a little short(thats what she said hahah). If its too long, you can trim it down to size, but if its too short, you're stuck. After cutting you can remove the shift **** and slip the spacer over the shift lever. Reinstall the ****, until snug. If the **** is not straight or positioned how you like it, remove it and use the sander/abrasive wheel to trim down the spacer. Reinstall.
After browsing some posts on here and asking questions, it turns out I was missing a little washer/spacer that goes on the shift lever separating the **** a little bit. So if your **** is crooked, remove it by twisting it off. There should be a copper colored washer on the shift lever, if its missing, this DIY will help you resolve it. If its there, this DIY is not for you, something is probably stripped and beyond the scope of this write up. Since the dealer does not sell this spacer without the ****, I decided to try and find a resolution on my own.
Parts Needed:
-3/4" plastic pipe plug
Tools Needed:
-caliper or measuring device
-pliers (preferably needle nose)
-rotary tool w/ cut-off wheel and abrasive stone/sander
-safety glasses
-pliers
-screwdriver
Procedure:
1. cut plug to length (~13.0 mm)
2. remove shift ****
3. install spacer
4. reinstall shift ****
5. if **** is not oriented properly, trim spacer and repeat
Write up:
So the first thing you need to do it go to your local hardware store and buy a 3/4" pipe plug. This comes in plastic, brass, and some other materials. I chose plastic for its price($1.70 at my local Home Depot) and its ease to work with. The plug I got has an inside diameter of ~11.5 mm and an outside diameter of ~17.0 mm, which is perfect for what need. Someone told me the length of their OEM spacer is ~8.0 mm, i tried this and it was much too short. According to my measurements, you want something around 13.0 mm. Hold the plug with the pliers and use the rotary tool with cut off wheel to cut off the end of the pipe plug. Remember when cutting a little long is better than a little short(thats what she said hahah). If its too long, you can trim it down to size, but if its too short, you're stuck. After cutting you can remove the shift **** and slip the spacer over the shift lever. Reinstall the ****, until snug. If the **** is not straight or positioned how you like it, remove it and use the sander/abrasive wheel to trim down the spacer. Reinstall.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post