How To: Removing the ZF6 Shifter Knob

The rubber coating on my '95's console is showing significant wear, and I also have a new leather boot, knob, and insert.

I've been reading tales of the difficulty of removing the lockpin, and I'd been putting off this project for some time.  Well, I had some time this afternoon, and thought I'd at least see if I could get the knob off.

Here's the current shifter knob ...

Step One is to remove the shift pattern insert, which I did by first putting a small flat blade between the top of the insert and the knob.

After loosening it a bit, I then moved the blade to the bottom, and it easily popped out.

Step Two is the removal of the pin that locks the shift knob on the threaded end of the shifter shaft.  I had read a variety of ways to remove this, ranging from "I used a set of needle nose, and it came right out" to "I took out the top, locked vise grips on it, and pulled until the pin came out and I hit myself in the testicles with it".  I tried the vise grips first, and got nowhere.  I'd read where someone recommended a drum brake adjuster tool, and then it occurred to me that I could probably use a mini-pry bar.

Here is the pin after the insert is removed ...

I tried the pry bar on three sides - the first was the top, and I discovered that there wasn't anything to hold.  I then tried the pasenger side, and thought I felt the pin move up a bit.

I then put the pry bar on the left side, and the pin slid right out.  This pictures also shows how much my leather boot has deteriorated - see the holes?  I get a good bit of heat through that as well.

Here are the old knob, insert, and pin on the bench.

This picture shows the detail of how the mini-pry bar and the pin interact with each other. 

And this shows how the pin orients in the knob.

All in all, it was pretty straightforward, and went a lot easier than I'd expected - especially after I'd tried it with the vise grips, and wasn't getting anywhere!

Steven

glad you did it first. i have an automatic and the knob is the same. the leather grip on mine was ragged and i tore it off. was looking for a roll pin until the button came off one day in my hand. great pics as it will be probably the same when i replace mine. thanks for the pics and the tips.

When I replaced the shift surround on my '96 I spent two weeks trying to remove the pin. I finally decided I would have to cut it off. I cut the stiching on the knob and found the knob is plastic so I used a soldering iron with a blade and cut the whole thing off. I found someone had hammered in a pin which was too big for the slot. It took a hammer and punch to take the pin out through the backside of the slot. I got a replacement pin and knob and used jewlers files to fit the pin so it would move in and out. Last week I removed the surround to replace a screw holding the shifter outer cover and the job took only a few minutes. It's hard to tell what you're going to find when you start something which should be simple.  Dave 

I used a set of needle nose vise grips and it came right out when I changed out my shifter knob. The manual recommends a light tap with a hammer on the pliers if it is stuck.

Since I've been considering to replace a shift boot of my vette, it's really helpful information for me too. Thanks. 

Great Article on the Manual Shift Replacement ! !      I have an 87 Automatic w/ the Plastic Knob,  it is Cracked in 2 places, Can someone Help with the Removeal Process of  the Automatic Shift Knob ? ? ?     Thanks in Advance ! !

[QUOTE=BGCHARGER]Great Article on the Manual Shift Replacement ! !      I have an 87 Automatic w/ the Plastic Knob,  it is Cracked in 2 places, Can someone Help with the Removeal Process of  the Automatic Shift Knob ? ? ?     Thanks in Advance ! ! [/QUOTE] i believe it is basically the same as described. on my 90 (which is auto) the button comes off the same way as described. i want to replace mine as the leather cover wore and i peeled it off.

Thanks for the pictures, they will can in handly soon. As I am in need of replacing the gear shift console, since the rubberized material is peeling away from it. Just need to locate a new console.