Shift Knob Disassembly

[twright]

I want to recover the leather on my shift knob, but I don't know how to take the plastic round piece off of the top. The piece that I can't get out is the one that has the shift pattern on it.

Does anyone know how to get that plastic piece off without destroying it?

[roguetoaster]

It's glued on most knobs, and it'll be ruined in most removal operations, but some are tabbed in at 6 and 12 o'clock. Fortunately, it is available separately, however, it may ultimately be less expensive to replace the entire knob with one already recovered with a new shift pattern. Check: http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E3...rings_plaques/

[twright]

Thanks for the help. I'm going to give it a try anyhow. I'll post the results when I'm done.

[twright]

As predicted by Roguetoaster, things did not go well. I had trouble prying the old middle out of the shifter.

The leather doesn't look too bad. If had another middle of the shifter, I'd try it again.

Does anyone have an old shift knob that they don't want?

[twright]

No one has an old shift know laying around that they don't want?

[roguetoaster]

Maybe extract the center locking device and make one in the mushroom style out of wood if you're handy. You can also buy a really cheap vinyl or plastic one from the usual sources and wrap it.