453 5-speed shift knob removal?

8012 Views 20 Replies 6 Participants Last post by ElementalDragon, Feb 5, 2018

ElementalDragon

Discussion Starter · Jan 11, 2018

Just thought i'd ask... hopefully someone knows.

Any idea how to remove the shift knob on the 5-speed manual 453? I'm trying to make my own custom leather shift boot for it, popped off the panel around the shifter with the cup holders and everything, slid off the thick rubber ring holding the narrow end to the reverse lockout collar, but can't get it all the way off the top so i can try to make a pattern of sorts for a new boot.

I'm assuming that i'm probably going to have to pop the piece with the shift pattern off the top somehow... but don't want to go about doing that if that's not entirely necessary.

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

ElementalDragon

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jan 12, 2018

well... at least i've found out that taking the plastic piece with the shift pattern on it is NOT the way to go... as you can see in the picture. Debating if i want to just try twisting it counter clockwise... but don't want to risk breaking something and then i'm SoL.

Also found a rather unusual and seemingly out-of-place plug just below the shift boot right in front of the linkage that's not connected to anything. Wondering if they're all wired one specific way, and that happens to be a plug used if it's equipped with the automatic transmission?

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1stiski

· #3 · Jan 12, 2018

https://vgy.me/n8IfXb
Right from the book . Looks to pull up to take off

Reactions: 1

ElementalDragon

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 16, 2018

th..... that doesn't even seem like a remotely safe way to attach a shift knob. lol

I'll have to give it a try.

Though i'm wondering if there are some sort of clips to hold it on. In the part for attaching it, it says "The shift lever knob must latch securely into place." anything on that in the book?

also.... what book? seems like a handy thing to have, especially now that "Smart USA" is practically no more.

1stiski

· #5 · Jan 16, 2018

Check you PM’s .

ElementalDragon

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 16, 2018

Tried replying, but says you're not accepting PM's.

Any additional info about there being some sort of clips holding the shift knob in place? Just asking because of it saying it must latch securely in place when pushed back on.

1stiski

· #7 · Jan 16, 2018

ElementalDragon said:
Tried replying, but says you're not accepting PM's.

Any additional info about there being some sort of clips holding the shift knob in place? Just asking because of it saying it must latch securely in place when pushed back on.

It says nothing about clips etc ... what you see on the posted pic is all it shows . I will research further .

1stiski

· #8 · Jan 16, 2018

Hmmm , my pm is checked “on” for receiving .. .

Johannesl

· #9 · Jan 16, 2018

Possibly try reaching out to smartmadness? They sell the Carlsson shift knob and boot. Maybe check their site or forum for instructions?

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ElementalDragon

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 16, 2018

Yea... I had sent an e-mail to smart-stuff.parts a couple days ago, still haven't heard anything... might try smart madness.

Just tried pulling it off.... won't budge any more than the usual slight wiggle that it has. So there must be some sort of clips holding it in place on the post.

Johannesl

· #11 · Jan 16, 2018

ElementalDragon said:
Yea... I had sent an e-mail to smart-stuff.parts a couple days ago, still haven't heard anything... might try smart madness.

Just tried pulling it off.... won't budge any more than the usual slight wiggle that it has. So there must be some sort of clips holding it in place on the post.

Is it possible that there is a small retaining clip at the base? Maybe under where the boot and shift knob meet? Can’t remember which car it was but I had one where I had to pull a retaining clip out.

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ElementalDragon

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 16, 2018

Johannesl said:
Is it possible that there is a small retaining clip at the base? Maybe under where the boot and shift knob meet? Can’t remember which car it was but I had one where I had to pull a retaining clip out.

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If there is, it might be a bit difficult to get to, since it'd probably be hidden under the reverse lockout collar.

ElementalDragon

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 17, 2018

Well... i e-mailed Smart Madness earlier, and they said that while they have done several installs of shift knobs on automatics, they haven't done any on manual's, so they don't really have any insight as to how the knob is removed. Just e-mailed him back asking for some sort of guide for removing the knob from an automatic.... thinking maybe there MIGHT be at least a few similarities to the process. Anything at this point would be quite a big help, since i'm pretty much at a loss at this point aside from knowing it pulls straight off somehow. I already tried briefly poking around up under the edge between the knob and the reverse lockout collar, but there isn't a lot of room there to work with, and without knowing for certain where it might be clipped into place, don't want to muck about and risk breaking something.

FiveSpeed

· #14 · Feb 1, 2018

I guess you missed my entire thread on this exact subject:

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f208/carlsson-gearshift-knob-collar-boot-111969/

To get the stock knob off you pull up on that sucker and it pops off.

Mister_smart_LA

· #15 · Feb 1, 2018

ElementalDragon said:
Well... i e-mailed Smart Madness earlier, and they said that while they have done several installs of shift knobs on automatics, they haven't done any on manual's, so they don't really have any insight as to how the knob is removed. Just e-mailed him back asking for some sort of guide for removing the knob from an automatic.... thinking maybe there MIGHT be at least a few similarities to the process. Anything at this point would be quite a big help, since i'm pretty much at a loss at this point aside from knowing it pulls straight off somehow. I already tried briefly poking around up under the edge between the knob and the reverse lockout collar, but there isn't a lot of room there to work with, and without knowing for certain where it might be clipped into place, don't want to muck about and risk breaking something.

It might be a twist off, counter-clockwise. I haven't removed one on a smart to know, but that's how the manual knobs are on many other vehicles. Good luck, I'm sure somebody will find out for you relatively quickly.

ElementalDragon

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 1, 2018

FiveSpeed said:
I guess you missed my entire thread on this exact subject:

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f208/carlsson-gearshift-knob-collar-boot-111969/

To get the stock knob off you pull up on that sucker and it pops off.

...... yep. Completely missed that.

Funny thing is, i even contacted the dealership, they couldn't find any information on how to remove it. It's not mentioned in the WIS anywhere on how to remove it, only that it needs to latch securely into place when pushing it back down.

edit: and not sure how hard you had to pull on that sucker, but I'm worried that something will break loose that ISN'T supposed to break loose. Doesn't seem to want to budge at all for me.

1stiski

· #17 · Feb 1, 2018

FiveSpeed said:
I guess you missed my entire thread on this exact subject:

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f208/carlsson-gearshift-knob-collar-boot-111969/

To get the stock knob off you pull up on that sucker and it pops off.

That’s what the service tec info says, just have put some muscle into it I guess.

Jo e Lefors

· #18 · Feb 2, 2018

ElementalDragon said:
...... yep. Completely missed that.

Funny thing is, i even contacted the dealership, they couldn't find any information on how to remove it. It's not mentioned in the WIS anywhere on how to remove it, only that it needs to latch securely into place when pushing it back down.

edit: and not sure how hard you had to pull on that sucker, but I'm worried that something will break loose that ISN'T supposed to break loose. Doesn't seem to want to budge at all for me.

I going to play devils advocate. Is this replacement knob, absolutely something you can't live without?
What I would fear is pulling something loose and/or the he knob not fitting tight and having a slight wobble or rattle at idle and no way to tighten it up.
Just a thought. Good Luck

FiveSpeed

· #19 · Feb 2, 2018

Our car is based on a Renault so I just looked up videos on YouTube about swapping a Renault shift knob.

Yup... here you go:

I'm glad I put on the Carlsson shift knob. The Brabus probably attaches the same way.

FYI you have to pull up for reverse and it's tough to find a knob that works. I think Momo only had one model.

Reactions: 1

ElementalDragon

Discussion Starter · #20 · Feb 4, 2018

Jo e Lefors said:
I going to play devils advocate. Is this replacement knob, absolutely something you can't live without?
What I would fear is pulling something loose and/or the he knob not fitting tight and having a slight wobble or rattle at idle and no way to tighten it up.
Just a thought. Good Luck

I'm not looking to do a replacement knob. I'm looking to make a custom shift boot from white leather. Not a fan of the kinda rubbery feeling boot the 453 has on it currently, not to mention there's a tiny hole in it near the bottom at the front.

I'll have to try it again another day... maybe when the weather gets a little warmer. Might help. Who knows.

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