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What’s With My D18 Shifter Knobs?

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by Buster1, Aug 29, 2021.

  1. Aug 29, 2021
    Buster1

    Buster1 New Member

    Ft Worth
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2021
    Messages:
    49
    What’s with these things? It’s like they are made of concrete or stone or something.

    Can they be removed?

    53EA7D3F-470A-43D8-9029-48B0A9270EC4.jpeg
     
  2. Aug 29, 2021
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2020
    Messages:
    545
    They’re threaded, but may be very difficult to remove especially if they’ve been sitting for decades. In your picture, the brown circle at the top of the knob looks to be the top of the rusty shift lever poking thru the worn out knob.

    I believe the originals are made of a Bakelite material.
     
  3. Aug 29, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Apr 8, 2008
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    I would pull the levers out and soak them in your favorite equivalent to PB blaster or deep creep penetrating oil. After that clamp the stick in a vice and try to work the knob off. I wouldn't mess with it too much in place for fear of bending the lever at the base.

    I also understand they are bakelite knobs.
     
  4. Aug 29, 2021
    Buster1

    Buster1 New Member

    Ft Worth
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2021
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    Yeah, here you can see the shorter Hi/Low shifter. It’s still a spherical shape.

    Boopie, you’re right on the taller lever, the top half of the shifter ball is gone and the metal top of the shaft is showing.

    6322F17C-4E20-4FC3-818E-F81648F87B0B.jpeg
     
  5. Aug 29, 2021
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    Sep 17, 2009
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    I extremely doubt those will come off in one piece whether or not you pull the levers. If you have not previously pulled the lever pivot pin, that is likely going to be as big a hassle as the knobs. I would just grab them with one of these:
    Irwin 12" Large Jaw Locking Pliers - 12LC-3Default Title

    I think there should be a brass threaded insert inside that will need the services of a normal curved jaw Vise Grip. You may need to run a 5/16-24 die on the threads to clean them up.
     
  6. Aug 29, 2021
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

    East Tennessee
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    Feb 8, 2021
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    I have removed some that looked that bad. Ended up busting the bakelite knobs off, and then heating the threaded insert with a torch, and soaking with Kroil before I could get the inserts off, but they did come off and I was able to put on new knobs.

    It might be easier to just find a new set of levers. I saw some NOS military levers on Ebay recently.
     
  7. Aug 29, 2021
    Buster1

    Buster1 New Member

    Ft Worth
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2021
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    Thanks guys. I’m also reading I might be able to dremel cut them and get them off. Then clean up the threads, and put on new knobs. I’m okay with destroying the old bakelite, but really don’t feel like hurting the original metal levers.
     
    ojgrsoi likes this.
  8. Sep 7, 2021
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2004
    Messages:
    1,132
    This.
    Cut a slot down to the threads on one side and try to rotate the insert. If it doesn't turn, cut the slot through the insert and through the shifter threads. Use a chisel and open up the slot, which will usually start the insert rotating. once it is off you can run a thread chaser down the threads if the new knob won't go on.
     
  9. Sep 12, 2021
    Buster1

    Buster1 New Member

    Ft Worth
    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2021
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    Update: finally got around to this project. A dremel and cut off wheel worked great on both the old Bakelite and the threaded insert. It took some patience and PB Blaster, but with a few slices on the insert, they loosened right up! Cleaned up the threads too w/ a die.

    Thanks for the tips guys!

    6DCC10FF-5017-43CD-B08F-58F06C20199C.jpeg 94CF2F45-5C4A-41BD-9417-CF74E05CB16D.jpeg
     
    Danefraz, ITLKSEZ, Jw60 and 2 others like this.
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