DIY gear shift removal and lube (short video)

[Dave777]

Anyone starting to have problems, or intermittent problems, should be going directly to the dealer, regardless of distance.

[mvaldes]

Originally Posted by stressed member

I think at the first sign of this problem I might just drill a hole in the top of the shifter ball and add a rod etc, to act directly on the T underneath.

Billet and Acrylic Fantasies sells a replacement shifter knob that essentially does that but looks a bit nicer. If you want to go that route, you can usually find them on eBay or go to their web site for their phone number and give Tom a call.

[GeekGirl]

Originally Posted by saronian

This is a quick 90 second video I made while lubricating the shifter on my smart fortwo. Hope it helps others see how easy it is to do before you get stuck out on the road.

View a higher quality version on the YouTube website. Click here and then select "watch in high quality" below the video on YouTube.

Shifter Removal & Lube

thank you for posting that you

[mews]

My shifter got stuck and would only go to neutral or drive recently and by using this board and this thread in particular, I was able to use the silicone spray into the crack between the knob and rest and it immediately worked without having to take anything off. I was prepared to do the rest but thankfully didn't need to. Although I'm out of warranty, I plan to discuss this with the dealer as my car was one of the original ones with the bad shifter when imported. It was supposedly fixed before delivery but I'm disappointed to think it didn't last. Guess I will have to carry around the spray as part of my emergency equipment

[Wizzo]

Thanks to all for the info. The last time this happened the dealer sold me a complete shifter assembly. $$$$$. I couldn't get the knob off tonight and just hosed it down with WD40. Got enough into the area to let the button lift the release. I'll pull it apart and do a complete job this weekend.

Someone deleted the pictures in the original post. Not good.

Thanks for the assist. Smart needs to recall these knobs and replace with a better design.

[jwight]

Did you see the video at Post #48? DIY gear shift removal and lube (short video)

[Wizzo]

Got it. Thanks.