mx5cartalk.com

Hi
I have recently obtained a 1989 MX5 and noticed that the rubber boot to the transmission cover is damaged and needs to be replaced.

My main problem is that I cannot unscrew the gear knob to take the console off. I am trying to unscrew it anticlockwise.

I have used a lot of force and am worried that if I use much more I will snap the end that sits in the gear box or damage the gear stick.

Has anyone experienced this problem?

Can anyone give me ideas on how I may be able to solve my problem.

Thanks

Is it the stock gearknob? If it's aftermarket, there might be a locking screw on the side of it.

Like egads said, if it's an aftermarket gear knob, look for screws on the base of the knob which need to be loosened. Otherwise if it is a stock knob, then all you need to to is turn it anti - clocwise to get it off. I recently replaced the rubber boot myself ad it took all of 15 minutes to get it done.

Thanks for the replies.
It think it is the stock knob. The only thing I can think of is that the previous owner has glued the knob to the stick.
I have had many cars in my lifetime and this is the only gear knob that I have not been able to unscrew.

I just had another look at the gear knob and it has the normal black top but at the very bottom I can see a white plastic piece. I think the black top probably fits over the top of this white piece that is probably the screw section of the knob.

I would appreciate anyone letting me know if they have the same white piece underneath their gear knob.
Thanks

the white bit is part of the knob. i think the white piece is a threaded sleeve.

try warming up the shifter shaft with a hair dryer or similar, but be careful not to melt anything. you can also wrap the knob in something to protect it, and use vice grips or similar.

If the knob has never been removed, it can be pretty much stuck to the thread and may need great force to twist it off.

Thanks everyone for your comments.
I eventually got the knob off however it was very difficult.

The way I did it was to remove the console and gear stick together from the gear box , then unscrew the leather boot cover from the gear stick.
This left just the gear stick with the knob attached.
I held the gear stick in a vice and used a self tightenig pipe wrench on the knob. After some effort it unscrewed and luckily no damage to any part.

Both rubber boots have been replaced and I am very happy.

Cheers