Gear knob removal
 

I have a '99 Boxster with 5-speed manual. I want to change the gear knob, but I can't locate any Allen set screw as mentioned in my Bentley service manual. I also can't simply pull it off as Pelican Parts mentions. Any suggestions??

Gear knob removal
 

In some cases, you have to twist the bottom portion of the knob counter clockwise to release it. In others, it's clockwise. Aftermarket generally has set screws.

Hmm, not sure what twists on any stock shifter? Never seen a lock ring or otherwise? It should pull straight off. It takes more effort that you think.

Gear knob removal
 

If it can be removed simply by force, I'd rather drive a chevy.

They are just pressed on... aftermarkets require a set screw of some sort but stock are press fit. Even my GT3 shift knob presses on. Very secure. No issues.

The shifter knob is removed by pulling straight up. Make sure you don't smack yourself in the face once it comes loose. Some replacement boots have a screw holding them on

^^^^^^^
This.
Ask me how I know. :D

Yes, it takes way more force to pull it off than you would ever expect. And yes, you're likely to smack yourself in the face when it comes loose! :D

If possible lower the top , that way you can straddle the shifter and pull up with force . Doing it this way you won't smack your face but you do put Mr. Johnson in harms way ! Be safe out there .

I think some oem knobs use a set screw. That will likely be right where the top of the boot is on the front or the back.

I used a slide hammer. It makes it very easy.

How did you go about that? How did you mount the slide hammer?

Gear knob removal
 

In most cases, the original can be removed by twisting the lower portion of the knob counter clockwise. If there is no set screw, this is how they were originally locked in place.

It came with some thread on adapters. I used the L shaped adapter underneath the knob. One quick little pop and off it came.

I did the same when pulling the Wood Nardi steering wheel off on my X1/9 when I was 20 years old.....hit me right across the bridge of the nose and knocked my silly for a few seconds!
I remember sitting in the drivers seat with the wheel in my hands thinking "What the h_ll just happened!??"

No. They pull straight up and off, as everyone else has already pointed out. ;)
I guess you'll be hitting the Chevy dealerships tomorrow. :D

LOL, I did the same thing trying to remove the pulley off a bug generator when I was that age. I hit myself right between the eyes. Now I have a small scar to remind me not to do that anymore. The benefit of getting older is it looks like a wrinkle now

Hey Woody, Can you tell us why you go by It'sNotANova? Wonder if there's a good story there...

Ah! Very nice! Beats a knob in the chops!

Dude, why did you post this info a second time?:eek: It just not correct...

Original shift lever cross-section is rectangular so the knob will not rotate.... But the lever has notches that the knob catches on, this is what you have to overcome pulling it straight out. Also the slot of knob is lined with felt... Not sure if ibetter than Chevy but it is very well designed.

I put a custom wood knob with alum tube over the lever, no spring fingers inside to catch the notches, too complicated to replicate factory design, so it just has set screws.

The frame just lifts up. Take a good plastic interior tool or a plastic putty knife and work it off. If you are planning to use a regular knob you will need an adapter. The shifter itself is rectangular. There are adapters to make them round but you could have some Vibration issues. The shift knob assembly includes a frame, the leather boot and a knob. The stock assembly has the boot made into the knob. You
Can find a frame and a separate boot on ebay and use whatever you want along with the adapter I Mentioned.


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Pull straight up. Have your friends hold the car down because it's going to be a hell of a pull.

For the replacement gear shift knob, are you just shopping Ebay? Have you found different suppliers? if so, who? Thanks.

Ebay has a bunch. It really depends on what type you are looking for. Suncoast has a good selection of both stock and aftermarket. Most aftermarkets will require some mods either for the fit of the knob or the boot.