Gear Knob

I may just be being crap, but could anyone tell me how to remove the factory fitted gear knob[?]

I have bought the wife a yellow gear knob & gaitor and I can't fit it! The factory gear knob wont come off [:(!]

Is it moulded to the gear stick or glued or something[?]

I've seen loads of pics of cinq's with aftermarket gear knobs fitted!

Please Help Me!!! B)

Assuming you are talking about the Sporting version:

I've got a gear knob in the garage that I haven't fitted yet too... the problem is that the old knob is a moulded rubber thing with a leather cover. To remove it, you cut off the leather and carefully slice the rubber off with a stanley knife. This leaves you with a rather rude looking top to the gearstick, which you can then attach the new knob to. My problem is that it looks like the top is too big for the new knob I've bought.

Alternatively, use a hacksaw and chop the whole thing off from just under the old knob. The problem this method brings is how to then select reverse, as you can no longer push the gear knob down. This is the point where you find out that the old knob wasn't attached to the metal centre shaft, but slid up and down over the top of it.

There's a couple of ways around this though, either use 2 hands to get it into reverse - one to push the collar down and the other to move the gearstick, or defeat the reverse inhibitor mechanism some how. (can be done.)

Hope this doesn't put you off!

Pete.
Cinq sporting 1242cc
http://mysite.freeserve.com/close_to_cracking_up/

Cheers for the info...

I read some of the other forums regarding knob removal :p and it seems that the cinq sporting isnt the only model with this problem [V]

The solution used my most people seems to be cut the knob in half and lever the two halves off the actual gear stick.

Then comes the two problems of the gear stick being to thick for the new knob and the selecting reverse issue!

Are you sure that the factory knob moves up and down the gear stick?

The replacement gear knob i have has adaptors that look like they will fit inside (or outside) the gear stick to allow the knob to fit to gear sticks of different widths.

Anyway, might get a chance to look at it again tomorrow after work if the is still any daylight [V] If not its a weekend job. Although the wide did say "NO CHANCE YOU'RE GOING ANYWHERE NEAR MY CAR WITH A HACKSAW!!!!!" :D

yeah, unfortunately the gear stick is in 2 parts, a central metal shaft and the plastic outer sleeve holding the gearknob and doing the reverse cable bit. You can see how the cable works if you lift the gaiter up.

Can't give you an exact size for the plastic under the gearknob, I haven't dared take mine apart yet..

Some people have fitted a collar to the stick, under the knob, to aid reverse selection - but I figure you should be able to defeat the mechanism. You could pull the cable end up out of the gearbox top and blank the hole off for one......

Pete.
Cinq sporting 1242cc
http://mysite.freeserve.com/close_to_cracking_up/

I've done it....and its a pain in the arse!

I cut the top off the gear knob (after removing the rubber knob from on top) and then put my new one on, realising reverse could no longer be selected.

However, simply i just pushed the new gear knob down as fully as i could (to simulate reverse being pushed down always) and tightened it up.

Now the gear stick is pushed down always, enabling me to get all gears, including reverse without pushing down anything. Works fine.

Hope this helps.

Ahh how I wish i had the simple and humble Nova so easy 2 change it, y do Fiat have 2 make our lifes harder? Im leaving min b looks more hassle than its worth.

FIAT CinqueCento = Recycled Ferrari :D

Well i just hacked mine off at the base, although this made the gear stick shorter it did the job :D

Fist of all, what an amazing forum. Been tryin for a monthnow to get some info on modifying my 98 black seicento s! Regards to the gearknob question, to select reverse th slot is below the 5th gear an i dont have to push down to select it. Can i still fit an aftermarket knob, or am i missin somethin?

Only 899cc, but scares my missus 1000 12v corsa

If you don't have to push the lever down or pull it up to select reverse, you'll have a much easier job on your hands changing the gear knob.
As said, the sportings have to have the collar pressed down - this is where it all goes sticky for some of us.
Just make sure you screw it on nice and tight, so that the knob doesn't squirm around when you're changing gear.

Good luck,

Pete.
Cinq sporting 1242cc
http://mysite.freeserve.com/close_to_cracking_up/
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Cinqs_and_Seis/
http://www.clubcento.co.uk/

Cheers! mines only an 's' so the shift is different. Fitted momo knob an gaiter avec stanley knife!!

Only 899cc, but scares my missus 1000 12v corsa

I was talking about it to some bloke at work today and he had the same problem with his astra van. He changed hes by heating it up to the rubber softened up and then could be pulled off. I can't say i've tried it, but it would be useful if you wanted to put it back on if you sell it