putting MkII/TF gear knob onto a sawed off gear lever

[MGF74]

Hello,

I am toying with the idea of retiring my blingy chrome Momo gear lever knob and putting the OEM alloy knob on the lever.

I've been aware for some time that the previous owner sawed off the tip of the gear lever when he installed the Momo knob (possibly because the Momo knob is somewhat oblong and may have made the already ridiculously long MkI gear lever even longer).

Here's a picture:



(notice my current gear knob)

But now that I am thinking about getting the OEM MkII knob, I am wondering how that knob is attached to the gear lever. Did the sawed off tip of the lever have a screw thread that the knob would have screwed onto?

[daz]

Did the sawed off tip of the lever have a screw thread that the knob would have screwed onto?

Yes

[MGF74]

great... so I take it that means I am, ahem, screwed...?

Maybe I could just glue it on then, with sealing compound or similar. Although that would probably make it a pain to get back off, if ever needed.

Or perhaps with the proper tools cut a new thread in the remaining tip of my gear lever?

[talkingcars]

The tube is hollow and wider below where the thread is so I doubt you'll be able to thread it.

A lot of aftermarket knobs have a grub screw at the bottom to hold them in place. Have you considered a more normal style of knob, or replacing the whole shaft?

[MGF74]

well, I saw a TF last weekend at a local meet here, and I must say I really like the OEM alloy knob, having seen it for myself. More than the knob I've got now. I'm pretty set on wanting that one.

Another idea I just had, how about welding a bit of thread rod onto my sawed off lever? I've got access to a welding kit at the DIY garage where I often go. It will probably require a fair bit of skill to weld the thread rod on straight, but how about this approach? What size is the thread on the bit that the previous owner of my car sawed off? Is it M10?

[cath's mg]

I got an alloy gear knob for Cath's 1996 F, it didn't fit.
I had to drill the centre out the gear knob (the same size as the gear stick). Then took it to a machine shop, got them to drill and tap the gear knob to take a small grub screw.
Works perfect

Gary

[talkingcars]

Another idea I just had, how about welding a bit of thread rod onto my sawed off lever?

I trust you were planning to take the lever out of the car before welding it, by the time you've done that you may as well fit a second hand replacement.

[talkingcars]

I guess you could get another lever and make it fit over the current stump, cut a couple of thin slices up the shaft so it can slide over the stump and hold it in place with jubilee clips or exhaust clamps, think of how an exhaust back box is attached.

[MGF74]

I trust you were planning to take the lever out of the car before welding it, by the time you've done that you may as well fit a second hand replacement.

right, very true. Didn't think that one through all the way.

I like Cath's approach... I've got a drill stand, so I could pretty much do the job myself, even the hole on the side for a grub screw. I'd just have to buy the proper milling bits for my power drill. Haven't done this kind of thing though with my good old drill, it only has 600 watts, hope that'll be enough...

[cath's mg]

I
I like Cath's approach... I've got a drill stand, so I could pretty much do the job myself, even the hole on the side for a grub screw. I'd just have to buy the proper milling bits for my power drill. Haven't done this kind of thing though with my good old drill, it only has 600 watts, hope that'll be enough...

If I remember correctly the threaded part of the Gear Knob is plastic insert so no problem drilling that out to size

I want a drill Stand ......................Caaaaaath

[MGF74]

I want a drill Stand ......................Caaaaaath

A drill stand doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg (although it might, if things go horribly wrong and you hurt yourself while using it ).

But seriously, 50 to 60 quid should buy you a solid "budget" one with which you can safely do good-quality simple jobs. Mine is a quite simple one, and it's ancient, my dad bought it at least 30 years ago and it still works.

Well then, I'll see if I can get a used OEM alloy knob somewhere in good shape. Rimmer Bros still have new ones, but 80 quid plus p&p is a tad pricey...

[cath's mg]

Well then, I'll see if I can get a used OEM alloy knob somewhere in good shape. Rimmer Bros still have new ones, but 80 quid plus p&p is a tad pricey...

There a few on the Bay of E

[Rich in Vancouver]

I did the same as Cath'sMg.
I cut about 20mm off the shift lever stem below the threaded portion then drilled and tapped the stem. I cut the original threaded portion off the stub and threaded it back onto the lever using Loctite and screwed the knob on.
I did it in the car without removing the lever. You do need a good set of drills and a 12x1.25 tap.
The metal isn't very hard and drilled and tapped easier than expected.
You could use a bolt with the head cut off as the threaded bit seeing as how the PO already cut yours off.

[Dell]

Now that looks like a proper engineered job unlike the grub screw method