1995 850 wagon non-turbo gear shift knob cracked

Fay · Post by **Fay** » 02 Oct 2013, 14:04

Hi,

I have a 1995 850 wagon, non-turbo and I guess the older it gets, the more it develops problems I've never seen before. Now the knob for the gear shifter has cracked and a piece of it fell off. See the attached picture, left hand corner of the knob. The material seems to be some kind of sticky rubbery type stuff and no metal is exposed that I can see.

I know it is possible to replace the knob but it sounds like it requires more physical strength than I have so I would have to take it in. I'm considering the Super glue or duct tape approach because the pieces that cracked fit back in pretty well. But I wanted to make sure nobody thought that was a really bad idea. I certainly don't want the gear shifter to stop working!

Thanks for your help!

Fay

: gear knob.jpg (167.71 KiB) Viewed 1286 times

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 02 Oct 2013, 14:54

Once they start of chip apart like that they are pretty much done. I glued one piece back on to one of mine and then another even bigger chunk fell off a couple of weeks later. I have had a couple of them that went bad but I was lucky enough to find replacements (the nice wood grain ones) at a pick n pull.

They really aren't that bad to get off, just pull up hard and it will pop free. Once they do break free there isn't much resistance so try not to smack you had on the rear view mirror. I've found it to be easier to remove the knob if the wheels are chocked and the shifter is in neutral, the angle is better for pulling it up.

...Lee

850TurboTurtle · Post by **850TurboTurtle** » 02 Oct 2013, 16:04

Find a friend with bulgy biceps and ask for a favor (be sure to take them to the pick n pull too...)

wilson850r · Post by **wilson850r** » 02 Oct 2013, 16:51

I actually used a screwdriver and a hammer to get mine to start to come loose and then pulled off by hand the rest of way. Was not ready to replace a mirror and windshield as hard as I was pulling. That knob was on there good and I am no small person by any means.

Fay · Post by **Fay** » 02 Oct 2013, 17:41

Thanks so much for the replies! I guess I'll bite the bullet and get it replaced. I like the suggestion to find a strong friend to help!

Thanks again!