I purchased an MB gear shift **** and want to replace my old ****. I did a search and found many discussions on the removal process. Supposedly the base screws off and then you remove the ****. However, when I try that with mine it doesn't move. When I apply a lot pressure with a padded pliers I start to scratch the collar. How does this process work?

 

Well, the very bottom of the shift ****(about 1/2") just about the actual shift lever unscrews. Given that the from a postion of looking down at the shifter, it may turn clockwise to lossen it. I can't remember for sure, but mine is always finger tight. I have to tighten it by hand about once a week. I don't want to over tighten it or risk damaging it with tools. I can imagine why yours would be so difficult. It plastic to plastic, so it shouldn't be that hard. Try turn it the other way. If that doesn't work, someone like me probably super glued it or something.

 

Thanks NeverEnough. That is exactly what happened. I finally put the pliers to it and twisted it off. Scratched the hell out of the collar but it went. It had some glue in the threads!

Oh well, the MB **** is really sharp!

 

That's doesn't surprise me at all. I've thought about gluing mine, but i don't want to have that same problem in the future if i decide to change something.

 

Hey crossbowme, shoot a pic of your shift *** installed. Thx (I put shift before the **** thing because coupled with your member name it was getting dangerously close to the recent postings in the General forum...haha).

 

Thanks for all the info on this, "simple" problem!

Can't seen to get mine off either, it must be glued, but I don't want to scratch the Collar, if I don't have to.

(I've got a $150 SLK Dark Slate Leather Shift *** sitting in the Console,
I'll try my luck again later this week )

SF

 

Where did you get the leather *** and where can I see photos/buy one?

 

Silver Fox - if that son of a b**** has even a tiny drop of glue on it, you won't be able to get it out without scratching it. Mine had very little glue on it but it went hard. In retrospect one thing I didn't try is this - take a knife blade and go around the joint between the two. If you pull down with the knife and try and turn you might break it lose - or not! Good Luck!

 

Does anyone have either of these shift ****? I'm considering them but was hoping I could see a picture with one installed in a crossfire?

 

On the later models of the automatic shift **** the collar that unscrews from the bottom was glued on.


I used a single edge razer blade in a wallpaper cutter holder to slice the glue on all sides. Once that was done the collar unscrews easily. The razor blade fits nicely into the grove between the **** and the collar, leaving no marks or damage.