Shifter Knob

I just herculiner'ed the inside of my '5 tub and my shifter boots were thrashed so I tore them off and bought new ones, but I can't get my tranny shift knob off. It's the stock T-86 and I don't see a retention nut under it or anything, so what gives? Do I just need to get a bigger set of channel locks and give it a go, or does this knob not actually thread onto the shift lever? What do I need to do to get my shifter boots on guys? Sounds like a dumbass question since I can figure out 95% of everything else, huh.

 

Had before where it didnt matter what I did they were not coming off. Ended up using a cut off wheel and cutting in from a couple diff. sides, being careful not to cut too deep, just enough to put some relief in the metal section that threaded on and pryed it off. Just run a die over the threads to clean up/fix any that you may have messed up, before puttin the new one on.

 

try a small oil filter wrench or a strap type oil filter wrench they have a lot of grip and might not damage the shift knob .

 

i have sprayed liquid wrench on the bottom of knob at the threads, put a wet rag around the knob and heated the shifter up with a torch,spray more liquid wrench and heated again and mine broke loose.

 

So, I heated it last night, put a rag over the knob, then gave it a spin with the channel locks. Came off no problem, EXEPT that it didn't thread off, the top of the shifter arm just sheared off and left the threaded part inside the shift knob. I have about two threads left at the top of the shift lever. So, after I get a new shift knob, I still need to figure out how to put it on. Is there a way you can re-do external threads, like tapping for a screw or bolt, only externally. Like would a pipe threader from a gas pipe machine work, or something else?

 

Bummer. You can cut new threads on it with a die, but you'll have to turn, grind or file the shifter shaft to the correct size before you try to cut threads on it. For 5/16x20 threads, that would be a max. OD of .312, but I'd go under that some to make it easier to thread, like around .305 or so. You probably only need to cut them about 1/2" to 3/4" long. Make sure you know what the threads are in the new shifter knob are first, though! You don't want to put the wrong threads on the shifter, that'll make you talk ugly.

Depending on your tools, skills, etc., you might want to just take the shifter off and take it to a machine shop. It's a simple job if you have the right stuff to do it. DON'T try to just cut new threads on the existing tapered stub though! It's too large in diameter and you're likely to break the die. More ugly talk will ensue.

 

Plumbers wrench with rags on jaws might work too.

 

If you want to go down the duct tape path.... remove the metal from inside the shift knob and drill out the threads then pick up some
"Shoe Goo" from K mart,Lowes, Wal Mart or Home Depot and glue it on with that stuff.. That knob with be there forever! Unless you apply slow even pressure then the glue will realease.
I have a metal belt clip glued to my favorite leather holster for my 9mm with the stuff for 5 years now. Works Great!