Shift knob won't stay on, What's the fix? Options

[drmitch]

Hi all,

The new 914 went into the shop for a couple of things. One thing they did was take out the atrocious short shifter that a PO had installed and replaced it with factory. It's a huge improvement. HOWEVER...while the shift knob on the short shifter seemed to be solidly attached for eternity, the knob on this replacement came off in my hand before I got out of the parking lot.

I circled back and a tech wrapped some black electrical tape around the shaft and tried several times to get the knob to grip. He did so, but told me it probably wouldn't last and what I need is a knob with a set screw.

Since these didn't come with a set screw, and since the previous knob didn't have this problem, and since I just dropped $500 at the shop, I think it's reasonable to expect the new knob to be as good as the old. The new knob came off in my hand twice on the drive home. I've sent an email to the shop owner asking for a solution.

What say you all? Yes, there is a crush sleeve up in the knob. If the solution is to put a new one in there, please tell me how to get this one out. If the solution is epoxy, I'll do it. If the solution is a knob with a set screw, please point me towards a source. I couldn't find one yesterday online.

THANKS!

[drmitch]

Thanks to all who've commented. As I said in the original post, there is a crush sleeve up in the knob. Again, if a new one is the fix, please tell me how do I get the old one out? I would have thought that the shop would have used a new crush sleeve, but maybe not. The shop I went to is a well-known indy Porsche shop in my area. They probably had thirty+ vintage Porsches on the premises, though mine was the only 914. Mostly 911s and 912s, with one authentic 356 in the mix. Aren't these knobs the same as on any 911 with the 901 gearbox? If so, I don't know that the shop would require any specialized knowledge regarding the shift knob. There was an old red leather Momo knob on the shifter that they used, which they removed and replaced with the OE style knob.

[Superhawk996]

The shop I went to is a well-known indy Porsche shop in my area. They probably had thirty+ vintage Porsches on the premises, though mine was the only 914. Mostly 911s and 912s, with one authentic 356 in the mix. Aren't these knobs the same as on any 911 with the 901 gearbox?

Yup same.

All the more appalling that some Goofus was suggesting you need a knob with set screws. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif)

[Osnabruck914]

The shop I went to is a well-known indy Porsche shop in my area. They probably had thirty+ vintage Porsches on the premises, though mine was the only 914. Mostly 911s and 912s, with one authentic 356 in the mix. Aren't these knobs the same as on any 911 with the 901 gearbox?

Yup same.

All the more appalling that some Goofus was suggesting you need a knob with set screws. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif)

Actually, I have found that the only solution to fix a loose shift knob forever is to drill a hole and use a set screw. It will NEVER loosen under normal driving conditions. When done properly, with a hex type screw, it is practically invisible. Guess I was the "Goofus" that suggested this in an earlier thread on this topic. I still stand by it.

Osnabruck914

[Jezibel]

[/quote]
Actually, I have found that the only solution to fix a loose shift knob forever is to drill a hole and use a set screw. It will NEVER loosen under normal driving conditions. When done properly, with a hex type screw, it is practically invisible. Guess I was the "Goofus" that suggested this in an earlier thread on this topic. I still stand by it.

Osnabruck914
[/quote]

I had exactly the same problem described here, with a crush-ring not providing adequate gripping force, so I did precisely what you seem to have done: I drilled a hole through the lower base of the shift-knob and through the shifter column itself, thereafter putting in a set-screw. Did the trick and the only way that ferschlugginer shift knob will come off in the middle of a critical shift is if I use some C4 or SEMTEX to dislodge it.

Is old Roosian technique for fix, Da Tovarich?