Shift Ball Removal

[Eric]

For you guys who've replaced your shifters....

I used a strap wrench to loosen the shift ball, but it doesn't unscrew off the shaft. It will spin (its still pretty tight), but it's not coming off.

Thoughts...?

r/
Eric

 

[VoodooBoss]

You stripped the insert inside the plastic. Try pulling up on the knob.

When I removed mine with a strap wrench it came right off.

 

[TMSBOSS]

For you guys who've replaced your shifters....

I used a strap wrench to loosen the shift ball, but it doesn't unscrew off the shaft. It will spin (its still pretty tight), but it's not coming off.

Thoughts...?

r/
Eric

OUCH

Sounds like the plastic is slipping on the metal threaded portion.

If this is the case, you may be buying another knob. If so, a small pipe wrench or vise grip on the lower metal portion may be required.

You should be able to reassemble and use until a replacement arrives.

Retail for the knob is $50-70.

Several aftermarket options. MGW is selling a knob with BOSS in white on the side.

I believe they get their knobs from EPCO. Link

http://www.epcoshiftknobs.com/Ford_ShiftKnobs.html

Good luck.

 

[Eric]

That's what I suspected as well. Do you reuse the lower metal portion? Thanks.

 

[Eric]

My next question...if the insert is spinning inside the shift ball...any thought how to get the shift ball off?

Thanks
r/
Eric

 

[TMSBOSS]

My next question...if the insert is spinning inside the shift ball...any thought how to get the shift ball off?

Thanks
r/
Eric

I believe there is a portion of the metal which extends downward beyond the knob. Grab hold of that and turn. You will likely scar the metal. Should be able to reinstall while waiting on a replacement knob.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[Eric]

The metal portion seems attached to the ball...as it spins along with ball. Thoughts?

r/
Eric

 

[RoushF150]

Try pulling up with as much pressure as you can while turning. Threads may be stripped but you might get it to catch. Might need a 2nd person.

 

[07SGT0547]

Have you tried to Super Glue the knob back to the metal insert?

Worst case, you are probably going to find a way to cut the knob in half (Dremel Tool w/Fine Cutting Blade) to gain access to the spinning insert...

 

[RoushF150]

Have you tried to Super Glue the knob back to the metal insert?

Worst case, you are probably going to find a way to cut the knob in half (Dremel Tool w/Fine Cutting Blade) to gain access to the spinning insert...

He said they are still solidly fixed to each other as a unit. The whole combination is spinning on the shaft. The insert is probably stripped.

 

[07SGT0547]

Have you tried to Super Glue the knob back to the metal insert?

Worst case, you are probably going to find a way to cut the knob in half (Dremel Tool w/Fine Cutting Blade) to gain access to the spinning insert...

He said they are still solidly fixed to each other as a unit. The whole combination is spinning on the shaft. The insert is probably stripped.

Well then, just take it in to the Dealer and have them replace the knob and/or the shifter lever (depending on what part is stripped out)...

If the knob was over-tightened during assembly and accidentally stripped out, then the dab of Loctite they used would have "masked" the problem from day one...

Not until the OP tried to remove it, did he notice the problem...

But having just done this myself with the MGW unit, I highly doubt the OP would have stripped the metal threads (either on the lever or the insert) by using a strap wrench just to remove the knob... Also keep in mind, that the pitch on the threads is somewhat fine, so it does take a fair number of complete turns before the knob is free from the shifter lever... Good Luck!

 

[ace72ace]

My Boss knob also came off of the shaft with the metal base still attached. I didn't see any problem with this as I then attached it to the MGW shaft upon reassembly. I could see the blue loc-tite on the inside threads, I didn't strip anything. Took a good 5 minutes with the hair dryer heating it up and then the big boy strap wrench to finally get it loose. The smaller size one just wasn't up to the task.

 

[808Boss]

Seems like this is a common problem. when i used my strap wrench the ball came off with the metal sleeve as well. As long as the shifter ball can be retightened to the metal sleeve, you should be able to screw the old shifter ball with the sleeve to the new shifter shaft as long as the thread size matches just like ace said.

 

[Eric]

The metal base turns with the knob. It takes a bit of muscle to turn the knob...it "clicks" as you turn it though, which I suspect is the knob turning around the insert. It is still tight with no apparent movement up the shaft as it turns. Looks like a trip to the dealer.

Any other thoughts? Is it worth trying to heat the base of the knob up?

Thanks
r/
Eric

 

[TMSBOSS]

Heat should not hurt anything.

Unsure the dealer will replace the knob under warranty. I would guess $75.00 for the knob and more for labor.

If you can wait on a replacement knob you may save a few dollars by simply cutting/breaking the knob away from the center insert. This will destroy the knob, which yoy will mostlikely have to replace anyhow, and avoid retail cost of the knob and labor costs.

Good luck.

The good news is the hardest part of the shifter change for me was the knob removal. Heat and musle removed mine. HAd a spare just incase. :