shift knob change?

[jsproule]

My shift knob is falling apart and id like to change it to something else but i know its not a screw on but ive heard it possible to change them,how hard is it to get the stock one off?

 

[Ricekila]

YouTube is your friend --

 

[fiddlerboy]

I posted a how-to about this last year: http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...everse-lockout-2012-1-4-m6.25768/#post-413865

 

[jsproule]

Thank you!

 

[MarkHarder]

How the knob comes off is the biggest hurdle. It depends on the model year. I've got a 2012 hatch, and the knob was just pressed on and glued. I used a strap wrench ($8 at Harbor Freight), and it didn't take much effort to loosen the knob and take it off. No need to thread shift column for new knob. Just get wood of your choice. I used a doll's head blank from Hobby Lobby, $1.95. Very close-grained wood. Head is 2 3/8" tall by 2 1/4" diameter. When you drill out the new knob, you have to account for the diameter and depth of the reverse lockout collar and spring. The lockout collar is 3/4" deep x 1" diameter. The shift column is 1/2" diameter. Total drilling depth is 1 and 3/4".

1. 1" Forstner bit and drill down 3/4".
2. Use 1/2" Forstner bit and drill down 1 and 3/4".
3. Shape, sand, and stain or varnish (I used 4 coats Min-Wax Polyshades - Walnut).

New knob should then slide down on shift column and reverse lockout collar and spring should slide up into knob. How you fix new knob to the column is up to you. I just wrapped column end w/tape and press fit the knob because I may want to change it out later.