Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: How do you take apart an automatic's shift knob?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    Posts
    474
    My Cars
    1997 528i, 2007 550i

    How do you take apart an automatic's shift knob?

    I got this off without any problems and read on another post that it can be taken apart. I don't want to just start tearing it apart so I was hoping someone could help?? Please??


  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Hilliard, OH USA
    Posts
    2,533
    My Cars
    former E39 owner
    +1. i'd also like to know.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    Posts
    474
    My Cars
    1997 528i, 2007 550i

    Got tired of waiting for a reply!

    I figured it out myself, so I'll do a quick DIY for this in this thread, if someone knows how to put this in the DIY's, that would be great: Here goes...

    First remove the shifter by pulling the button and pulling up, HARD!!...

    Once removed, you have this:



    Then use a wide blade screwdriver and pry up on the bottom of the button. You may want to put a credit card or something under your screwdriver blade to protect the leather.



    Pull it out just enough to get a finger under it. Then pull it all of the way up.Then just pop it out..



    Then pry the small metal clip out. I think it just holds the edges of the leather down so you don't even need to take it out, but I did.




    Then pry up on the wood trim piece just above where you removed the button from, it should pop up and the lift it off!!




    Then it is all apart!!


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Hilliard, OH USA
    Posts
    2,533
    My Cars
    former E39 owner
    Quote Originally Posted by Barfdogg View Post
    I spent HOURS looking for this online a week ago, when I painted mine...
    how's the paint hold up to constant contact? i was initially not going to do this b/c i thought it would chip/wear down the paint with all he contact it sees.

    and thanks OP!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Hilliard, OH USA
    Posts
    2,533
    My Cars
    former E39 owner
    Quote Originally Posted by Barfdogg View Post
    The key is to be careful the first week not to scratch it, as the paint isnt completely hardened... after that, you're set.
    thanks. mine has been holding up fine. I did mine right after my last post. The area around the shifter is another story though-that thing gets scratched all to hell.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    NW Indiana
    Posts
    12,550
    My Cars
    m52 powered
    looks vaguely familiar- I recall last seeing one of those in a pile of spare parts on the shop floor.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Hilliard, OH USA
    Posts
    2,533
    My Cars
    former E39 owner
    the same clear i used on my interior trim. I'll have to look at the can and tell you tomorrow.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Monrovia ca
    Posts
    575
    My Cars
    1995 318I, 2003 525I
    Sorry i like the WOOD

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Hilliard, OH USA
    Posts
    2,533
    My Cars
    former E39 owner
    Quote Originally Posted by Barfdogg View Post
    What did you use as a clear coat?
    Duplicolor truck,van, and suv clear top coat. From some auto store, Autozone i think.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Chesterton, IN
    Posts
    3,266
    My Cars
    1998 540i/6, 2002 M5
    Does the manual knob wood trim pop off the same way? Just pry it up?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Woodridge
    Posts
    146
    My Cars
    1996 BMW 328i Sedan

    Help!

    i just bought an E36 automatic shift now. but it was just the handle not the stick that comes out of it. how do i take the stick off the stock shift knob and move it to the new one?

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Miami
    Posts
    37
    My Cars
    99 E39 540iat sport
    Hurt my hand anyway

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Surrey, UK
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    WV Golf
    Great write up, need to disassemble to see why the button sticks.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •