Can someone tell me how to get the black plastic sleeve off the shifter? Also, if it is removable, are their threads underneath it?

I can't get the thing off and I don't want to bust anything.

Thanks,
Rob

That isn't supposed to be there. Break it off.

That isn't supposed to be there. Break it off.

10-4

That is very odd because both of the part cars that I have access have that stupid thing on the stick. So there's threads underneath?

And thanks for the quick responce!

BTW - I still can't beleive it but I found Ricarros in an old Rabbit this afternoon and they are in really nice shape! I'll be gettin those.

What a stupid setup that was. I have now removed the plastic cover -and it was easy. This is what I have now. I think I'm going to take about 2" to 3" off the top of the shifter, thread it and then put on a very nice shifter knob.

Has anyone done this and I would like a recommendation on how much to take off.

Odd... you have an e30 style shift lever...

I would suggest simply shortening it and cutting a new notch in it and just using an e30 shift knob. Problem with threading it is you will find the threads very coarse and you'll really make the shift lever thin and the aluminum ones tend (at least mine did) to break at the bottom of the threads...

Good news is those things are pretty much free... you can get them anywhere for cheap.

BMW switched from steel threaded shift levers to aluminum levers with snap-on knobs midway between 1981 production cars (i forget exact the month).

If you use a shift knob w/ a set screw(s) at it's base, you should be able to chop that lever to the height you want.

BMW switched from steel threaded shift levers to aluminum levers with snap-on knobs midway between 1981 production cars (i forget exact the month).

If you use a shift knob w/ a set screw(s) at it's base, you should be able to chop that lever to the height you want.

Thanks for the info. You mention a shift knob w/ a set screw at the base. The only kind that I'm familiar with would actually thread onto the lever. Is this what you mean?

he means aftermarket like MOMO with the screw on the bottom to keep it from falling off/rotating.

he means aftermarket like MOMO with the screw on the bottom to keep it from falling off/rotating.

Thanks.

I used a die and threaded the shift level on a vw rabbit i had in order to install the mandatory golf ball shift knob, never had any problems