changing gear knob in a 9n3

Jemima · Post by **Jemima** » Wed May 11, 2011 9:53 pm

hey someone has given me a replacement gear knob to go in my car. a novelty one.
basically how the hell do i get the top off? it's impossible

either that or i'm far too weak :/

help?

blazeguarder · Post by **blazeguarder** » Wed May 11, 2011 10:02 pm

The knob and the gaiter are a single unit. Held on with four clips from the underside so you need to remove the trim around the gear lever. First pull the trim around the handbrake off, then undo the two torx screws at the front of the panel in the storage area and lift it off and unclip the gaiter. The knob is then held on with a split pin.

Don't really have a clue how you'd go about connecting the new knob to the gaiter though...

Jemima · Post by **Jemima** » Wed May 11, 2011 10:05 pm

f**k that too complicated hah looks like too much effort best give it back then :/

matt_123 · Post by **matt_123** » Sat May 14, 2011 9:53 pm

the knob and gaiter on one single unit.. there attached.. and you can remove the old one by pushing a screw driver head down the side a bit a bend not to much just enough to pop it up .. sorted..

aaronon · Post by **aaronon** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:24 pm

I feel like I'm spamming the forum as of late and I'm sorry!

I'm going to buy the anthracite maple gear knob (it comes without gaiter though). I assumed you would just unscrew the current one and plug in the new one but apparently you have to mess with the gaiter and stuff? Is there a chance I'll balls it up and ruin the entire thing? Anyone ever done this? Want to keep my original gaiter and just install the new knob.

Jemima · Post by **Jemima** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:51 pm

don't think so mate :/ which pissed me off a bit haha

aaronon · Post by **aaronon** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 10:49 am

Nooooooooooo. I gave in an bought it lol.

blazeguarder · Post by **blazeguarder** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 10:12 pm

aaronon wrote:Nooooooooooo. I gave in an bought it lol.

Shouldn't be a problem if it's the one from the VW accessories catalogue. You can remove the original gear knob and gaiter as a single unit and then you should be able to easily see how to remove and replace the gear knob. It's only with aftermarket stuff that you need to mod it. Genuine accessories should be no problem.

ninjakev · Post by **ninjakev** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:24 am

Ive removed my gear knob and changed the gaiter to a black alcantara with grey stitching. i can take pic on how to do it if you want?

jem-9n3 · Post by **jem-9n3** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:34 am

ninjakev wrote:Ive removed my gear knob and changed the gaiter to a black alcantara with grey stitching. i can take pic on how to do it if you want?

Yes please. A few people would like to see this. I've seen the little metal clip your all on about but didn't wanna force it off

ninjakev · Post by **ninjakev** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:41 am

yeah the metal clip has to come off in order to take of the knob! basically you have to carefully twist the clip into failure and take it off! and replace with another clip when you re attach the gear knob! em im in uni atm so as soon as i get home i'll show ya how its done and what size of clip to use!

-=Ninja=-

aaronon · Post by **aaronon** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:46 pm

A little clip comes on the new Gearstick so I don't need to buy a new clip do i? (I've posted a photo of my stick below

) but Yes please post pictures! Here are the instructions I got. . .but I have no idea what each step is. . . for example. . .in step 2 is he breaking and snapping that little sticky out bit off with that pliers style tool? Or does it just lift out.

ninjakev · Post by **ninjakev** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:36 pm

the instructions are the same, however in my 9n3 I had to dismantle the interior in between the seats, unscrew the torx bits, lift of the entire mid gear cover, dis connect the 12v wire to the cigarette lighter, lift it above the hand brake then attempt number 2 on the instruction sheet then remove the base of the gear section and attempt number 3. then reverse the process to fit it back in place. However I used a small jubilee clip to hold the gear knob in place. (easier due to slight laziness and lack of tools available), from the looks of it you need a crimping tool to squeeze that clip in place.

-=ninjakev=-

ninjakev · Post by **ninjakev** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:40 pm

sorry aaronon for got to mention yeah you'll have to carefully twist the original clip to the point it snaps in order to replace the gear knob. I'll try and get pics up later today!

-=ninjakev=-

ninjakev · Post by **ninjakev** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:32 pm

Ok So as promised here how to do it!

http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... needed.jpg

You will need, some pliers, a torx 15 bit, screw driver and some patients

http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... os/1-1.jpg

first take off the handbrake cover and lift upwards as seen below

http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... otos/2.jpg

once you have done this remove the rubber cover and unscrew the torx and remove any loose object, i.e ash tray.
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... otos/3.jpg
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... otos/4.jpg
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... otos/5.jpg

once the torxs are unscrew lift the gear shift cover gently from the side and rear to lift it up. (careful not to lif to hard as it is connected to the cigarette lighter)
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... otos/7.jpg

once this is done you can rest the centre on the hand brake for ease of work.
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... otos/8.jpg

Now remove the 12v connection from the cigarette lighter (push in clip)
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... otos/9.jpg

NOW FOR THE FUN PART! you may need to take a leap of faith, (or man up lol oj) and take pliers to the clip! carefully twist and turn it around making it snap! MAKE SURE YOU DONT BREAK ANY OF THE PRONGS HOLDING THE GEAR KNOB!!
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/10.jpg
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/11.jpg
the clip should look like the above. also make sure to keep the metal ring that comes off once the clip is taken off, (as shown below)
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... os/122.jpg

once thats done you can now lift off the gear unit, shown below
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/12.jpg

push in the 4 white clips to release the gear gaiter and knob
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/13.jpg
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/14.jpg

after turn the gaiter inside out to expose the clearance clip, and carefully take the screwdriver and lift it upwards, there should be opening in the clip for seem of the gaiter so you can dig the screw driver from there as seen below
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/15.jpg
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/17.jpg
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/18.jpg

so now you can finally lift of the knob and replace it, if you also have a gaiter to replace then either remove the original gaiter or cover it over like i have.
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... os/202.jpg

ensure the gaiter i over the gear knobs lip and turn over to adjust to what ever position you like.
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/21.jpg
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/22.jpg

put the clip back over the gaiter and lip, making sure that the clips male part fits into the knobs female part (SOUND ABIT WEIRD MYBAD!) you get the idea!
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/23.jpg
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/24.jpg

ok for this some people may have a clip already on the knob, thus needing a crimping tool, however i just resorted to a hose clip from home-based (does the same thing if not better and if you want to change gear knob again its easier) size i used was a 13mm to 20mm
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/25.jpg

you can now slide the gear knob back on making sure that it reaches all the way down towards he abrasive part of the shaft. once this is done ensure to put back the metal ring that was taken off earlier, attach the hose clip and tighten. (i positioned the clip towards the front so its out of the way and not noticed (its small enough to not be noticed anyway)

http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/26.jpg
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/27.jpg
http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/28.jpg

once this is done reverse your steps and put everything back together and enjoy, hope this helps

http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww20 ... tos/30.jpg

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