Shift Knob Removal?
Has anyone found the best way to remove the Shift Knob on a Smart? I have my "Floor Console Trim" piece loose, but it won't slip over the Shift Knob so I can get it off. I want to paint the console trim Silver to match the other dash accent pieces, but I don't want to damage anything getting it off. I would appreciate some advise from anyone who has removed and re-attached their shift knob. Thanks!
Tags: Console, Floor, Knob, Removal, Shift, Trim
Views: 59
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by clicker on -
Go to www.Evilution. If your hands are strong enough just grip it good and tight and pull up.It'll let go suddenly;at least mine did, so be careful.Some you need to twist a few centimeters before it'll pull up,on mine I didn't need to, go figure?
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Permalink Reply by Frank on -
Thanks Clicker, I tried it this afternoon. I opened the top, stood on the seats, and twisted and yanked for all I was worth. It wouldn't budge! I also checked Evilution, and they suggest the same method. Mine is a 2009, I wonder if that makes a difference? When I installed my Brabus brake handle, I had to cut the rubber one off because Smart had changed the 2009 to go on once & never come off. Anyway, thanks....Frank
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Permalink Reply by Zippin Pippin on -
Hey Frank,
I flooded my smart fortwo 09 Brabus Cabrio shortly after my pick up date of Aug. 15th. I needed to get the gear shift knob off also, never did.
I've since learned from somone probably on SCOA that the trick is to rotate the shift stem rising up from its' ball base 1/4 turn counter-clockwise by gripping it with bare hands or wrapping on some grippy non marring tape. There is a flesh colored waterproof tape that releases cleanly that is very rubbery that would give really good traction once applied in a spiral around the shaft of the shift selector. I understand that once the stem is rotated the stitched lever knob comes off easily.
Like you I tried pulling up till I was quite red in the face with no results. I wish I had known about the quarter turn when I needed it. I could not grip well enough without the tape to twist and haven't had the time to play with it again as I no longer need to remove the shift knob.
Oh, yeah, the tape I have I bought at Kroger's in their pharmacy area. It leaves no sticky residue.
This is one of the upgrades that sets these apart from the UK smarts. The brake release lever grips are no longer afixed with a pin, it is a very tight press fit. It must be slid off or cut off! I will probably use my Dremel as others have suggested to remove my brake handle.
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Permalink Reply by Frank on
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Hi Zippin Pippin'
Thanks for your reply about the shift knob removal. I was able to rotate the stem this morning. I wrapped a thick rubber strap around the stem, then clamped it with a vise-grip pliers. That worked perfectly, and didn't leave a scratch. The stem rotated easily, but no matter what I tried, the knob still wouldn't come off. I'm giving up on the project for now.... I bought a couple of aftermarket parts from the guy in the UK last summer, and found out the hard way that their Smarts are slightly different from ours. I noticed that his website was taken down. He must be a victim of the recession. Thanks again...Frank
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Permalink Reply by Zippin Pippin on
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Frank, after rotating the stem, one must not push the button on the knob while pulling up and have lever in Neutral. Other than that, I'm out of suggestions. Good luck!
Frank said:Hi Zippin Pippin'
Thanks for your reply about the shift knob removal. I was able to rotate the stem this morning. I wrapped a thick rubber strap around the stem, then clamped it with a vise-grip pliers. That worked perfectly, and didn't leave a scratch. The stem rotated easily, but no matter what I tried, the knob still wouldn't come off. I'm giving up on the project for now.... I bought a couple of aftermarket parts from the guy in the UK last summer, and found out the hard way that their Smarts are slightly different from ours. I noticed that his website was taken down. He must be a victim of the recession. Thanks again...Frank
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Permalink Reply by Frank on
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Guys I finally got it off! I went back and looked at the You Tube Video and found that the problem was me! I some how assumed that the shifter should be on Neutral. The video clearly showed it in Park. Thanks much, you guys were great, and Brabus007 we lived in Ocala for five years after retiring. It's beautiful Horsecountry with great weather!
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