Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

manaul shift knob removal

60K views 40 replies 29 participants last post by  767282 
#1 ·
Anyone removed/replaced the shift knob on their manual JK? :confused: I've got a new one I want to put on, but I can't figure out how the stock one comes off, and I know if I push/pull/twist/turn too hard I'm going to bust something.
 
#8 ·
I still had a hard time removing the shifter knobs. I just didn't want to start hammering to get the knob removed..
The instructions I received with the LiteGrip billet knobs was to cut the OEM knobs, which I did..

As you can see from the pic, there is indeed a "retaining" clip holding the knob onto the shifter lever. Once you hacksaw the top and get to that clip, just remove it and the knob "slides" off..

 
#25 ·
I still had a hard time removing the shifter knobs. I just didn't want to start hammering to get the knob removed..
The instructions I received with the LiteGrip billet knobs was to cut the OEM knobs, which I did..

As you can see from the pic, there is indeed a "retaining" clip holding the knob onto the shifter lever. Once you hacksaw the top and get to that clip, just remove it and the knob "slides" off..

I pulled muscles in my neck trying to yank this thing off! I tried the crescent wrench and mallet method too with no luck. I started to worry that I was going to screw up the transmission! I ended up butchering the knob with a hacksaw. There are a few dings and scrapes on the shifter, but I sanded them out and will repaint this weekend.

I'm very happy with the final result!
 

Attachments

#12 ·
Be careful with these so called "good tugs".. You don't want to damage anything in the shifter mechanism. Some of these clips will bite more into the shift lever with each blow or tug..

I did it the "safe" way and just cut the top of to remove that clip.. (see post #8) I you want to replace the shifter knobs, than I assume you don't need them anymore..
 
#13 ·
just barely removed mine. with the the upper part of the knob intact and the lower cup already down it took surprisingly little force to slide up. having read the forums i was geared up for a battle. i slid on the shifter bezel assembly i was replacing and the knob slid back on with a little click, slid the lower cup back up and presto my factory shift knob is more or less unscathed. anybody wanna buy a black 2007 X with soft top?
 
#14 ·
Manual Shift Knob Removal - JK

After much research and frustration I finally removed the shift knob from my 08 Wrangler.

I followed advice posted on a couple of things:
1) Pull up - Did not work as it requires a good deal of force. The other components of the knob came apart first so essentially I destroyed the top of the shift knob and need a new one. Good news is since it was destroyed I decided to experiment further.

2) Twist - You cannot twist as it is not threaded. It actually has a groove at the top of the rod that looks like the knob clips over it. Picasa Web Albums - Patrick

3) Wrench with towel around the base of the shift knob with and "guide" it off with a mallet. This did work but it required a few good bangs and it ended up causing minor scrape and gouge damage the shift rod. EVEN with the towel.

What I found to be the most effective is:

1) Remove the rubber lower cup with a small screw driver. Once the lower cup is removed you will see grooves around the shifter knob.

2) I placed a wide flat head screw driver (just wide enough to fit) in one of the grooves right on the shift knob towards the bottom. I gave the end of the screw driver a few short solid hits and the knob popped off.

Any damage caused here if NOT severe can be covered with the lower cup.
Be careful there is limited room for a mallet / hammer.

Hope this helps.
 
#15 ·
Yeah it does not just pull off like many people think, or at least mine didn't. I tried for multiple days to get this thing off and finally a broke out the hack saw. after finally removing it, there is a metal clip that holds the know to the shifter rod that makes it almost impossible to just pull off.
 
#16 ·
You are telling me!!! I almost resorted to a saw.

I had to replace my shift boot because the design on this model wrangler is terrible. Which is why I wanted to try to salvage the shift knob.

It's plastic and basically the boot detached from the plastic ring. I fixed this by ordering an aluminum ring and drilled new holes into the plastic clip and re-attached the boot. This worked for 6 months or so until I hit a nasty bump on my way down the highway and I heard a snap. You guessed it, the entire plastic clip disintegrated. I ordered a new boot assembly which obviously is why I had have to remove the nob.

Not sure if anyone experienced this problem with the JK before or if it's just a defective part on mine.
 
#20 ·
Good Job :thumb: I know I was so relieved when I finally got mine off.
So what kind of knob are you putting on it?
 
#19 ·
Has anyone removed the Auto Shift knob 2007-2010 (looks like a honda civic shifter) and replaced with the 2011 auto shift handle? Any part number from Mopar?
In my opinion it looks so much better.
Drake makes one that looks ok but I am thinking about the original set up in the 2011.
 
#23 ·
I just removed my 2011 shift knob. Took a flat screwdriver between the leather and the bottom chrome piece, twisted and the bottom piece slid down the lever. The top slid right off.:dance: The bottom is some sort of a retainer that keeps the upper part in the slot. Very easy once I knew what to do. I'll post a picture of my bubinga duck call shift knob tomorrow when I can get some sunlight to hit it.
 
#22 ·
Where can I find a solid shifter shaft adapter (for 6sp jk) in order to put on a threaded shift knob? The notch on the end of the shaft would seem to me to pose a problem for the smaller adapters that I have seen (e.g. the Lo Dapt III adapter by gennie).

Or if anyone is using this adapter and has no problems, please let me know.
 
#29 ·
I just replaced my stock knob. There is a way easier way than the ones i saw here. Simply remove the 2 bottoms. Then the top ring around the part that shows the gear illustrations. Then stick a real skinny screw driver into the 2 slots on the sides and pull it up. After that simply remove the metal clip and slide the rest out. No damage done to the stock knob or the metal part of shifter.
:confused: no offense, but these are not aesthetic at all to me. guess the diversity of everyone's preferences is what makes the world go 'round though. :thumb:
 
#28 ·
I just replaced my stock knob. There is a way easier way than the ones i saw here. Simply remove the 2 bottoms. Then the top ring around the part that shows the gear illustrations. Then stick a real skinny screw driver into the 2 slots on the sides and pull it up. After that simply remove the metal clip and slide the rest out. No damage done to the stock knob or the metal part of shifter.
 

Attachments

#33 ·
08 Rubicon shift handle and rubber boot.

Trick to removing your manual shift knob is to pry the bottom portion down, separating it from the top portion. Then the top portion just pulls off with a good tug.
My rubber shift boot came undone down at the mounting plate. I drilled out the plastic pop type connectors and put self tapping screws in place. It fixed the unconnected floppy boot and actually looks trick!:)
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top