Removing shift Knob

[Perfectlap]

upgraded my shift knob with one of those fancy ones. If you decided to do this you may find pulling the stock shifter off to be a GIANT PAIN IN THE ARSE.
That thing won't budge!
1st attempt in the car ended up banging my hand bad enough to yell out an expletive that my neighbohrs kid heard.

Here's the right way to do it (no tools):

1-Lower the top and windows completely.

2-Pop off the base of the shifter from the console. There are ten 'snap' tabs just gently pull up on each corner with your hand and you'll hear each one come loose one at a time.
3- take off your shoes
4-stand over the center console with one foot on each seat. grab the shifter with one hand and hold onto the windshield header with the other hand. Give it one good heave and pop! it comes right off.

the Carrera coupe guys can't do this

[Marc Gelefsky]

What! no pics of the new shifter?

[mikes_box]

pictures please...what type of shift knob did you replace it with...cant find any on ebay or online since it has that slider type of shifter not the screw top and the universal ones don't just slide in...

[Darkhamr]

I was just looking at a DIY the other day and I can't visualize this properly. Are you replacing just the knob or is the knob integral to the whole arm? If it's just the knob, why does the whole arm need to come out? Now I'm going to have to run out to the parking lot at lunch and do this just to satisfy my curiosity.
Hmm, pics please!

[Perfectlap]

^just the knob.

I searched this forum and other Porsche forums and people were coming up with all kinds of methods to pull off the knob using vise grips, pliers, screw drivers, beach towels, boyscout troops, monkey wrench, etc.
You just need leverage, like Archimedes said...

I will post pics, it was too dark. These shifters are nice but dang are they expensive.

[Tool Pants]

I saw a mechanic at my local dealer stand on the seats to pull off a 987 knob.

[Franco]

Hi, that's when you know it's time to join a gym , I had my wife pull my stick and came out quicker than i thought

[porsche986spyder]

I had trouble getting mine off at first too. But after a few tries with 2 hand on it pulling straight up, it came off and I banged my forearm on the e-brake lever. Man it hurt like hell. Had a nice bruise for the next few days. I got my shifter on e-bay for $140.00 plus shipping. Regular $180.00.

[FrayAdjacent]

I'd like to see pics, too...

Someday I'm going to ditch my wood finish knob (and matching e-brake handle) because they simply don't match my interior. Nothing else has the wood finish trim. I liked one of the Momo knobs... it was aluminum with black leather wrapped around most of it. I'd also like to get a new boot in black leather... where could I get one that doesn't cost an arm and a leg??

[mikes_box]

hey guys just changed my shift knob and boot....had an aunt who sews make me a red leather shift boot to match my interior....took the old one off and gave it to her for a pattern....few days later its done looks just like the oem but better...mike

[Chills]

I popped myself in the forehead the first time I pulled off my shift knob. Porsche doesn't want those suckers to come off.

[Boxtaboy]

Actually, I find that they come off rather easily. Trick is to put the shifter in 2nd gear first, and then pull towards your chest. Makes it easier to get leverage to pull in 2nd gear, as you're not pulling straight up. Comes right off, with no drama.