E60 gear stick knob removal?

Hi. The chrome plate on my 6 speed manual gear stick knob is come off and leaving sharp edges, so I need to replace it but I see no obvious way to remove the knob from the shaft.

Does anybody know how its attached please?

E60 350 D manual 56 UK reg.

Thanks,

Alex Ford.

The knob is just shoved on basically, pull up on the leather thats connected to the trim and then pull up firmly, at least thats how it is on an auto.

Have you tried turning it counter-clockwise? The one on my 370Z was a real pain to get off. I used a pair of vice grips and a towel to hold the shaft while turning the knob with a pipe wrench. It worked. You don't want to put too much strain on where the shaft connects to the transmission.

Thanks. It's a leather and chrome knob and has a leather gaiter that goes down to the centre console. Are you saying to pull the knob off at the Joint of the bottom of the knob and the top of the leather gaiter? Really don't want brake the stick. Was worried incase it had a concealed alllen screw, or was screwed one etc. PS these knobs are expensive!

Thanks. Not tried anything yet. I too don't want to break anything so that's why I am asking the experience here before I try :-)

Pull the leather away from the center console, I usually start with one side and bend it slightly to pull it up. Then once the leather is only connected to the knob pull up on it til it comes free. Some have suggested opening the sunroof because the knob will kinda fly off when it comes off.

Ok thanks very much for your assistance.

Originally Posted by Alex Ford

Ok thanks very much for your assistance.

I replaced mine recently.

Pull up on it pretty hard in a sharp jerk.

That's it!

Fastest known repair on a BMW

Ok thanks, but you have to undo the leather gaiter from where it joins the centre console at the bottom square area or does the knob come off and leave the leather gaiter in place attached to the top area of the stick please?

To the best of my knowledge all E60's have a push-on / pull-off gear shift knob.

The leather gaiter reaches to the bottom of the knob but is not connected to it.

I don't believe you stated the year of your vehicle; only model.

Inspect closely, but I am quite certain that is your setup as well.

Thanks very much. It's a 2006/56 plate UK reg 350D E60 6 speed manual.

I just removed mine following the instructions from turnermotorsport.com. The knob pushes on and pulls off. It clips to a ridge at the very bottom of the shift knob. The key is to place the shifter into 2nd gear. This gives you the best leverage and prevents you from pulling up against the windshield or other things that might get damaged. Once you have it in 2nd gear, just pull directly up (at the same angle as the shift lever is in while in 2nd gear) and it should come right off with no trouble. At least mine did.

To install, just push the shift knob down hard until it clicks in. Very easy, no tool affair. You don't need pipe wrenches or anything else. In fact, using tools may increase the chance of damaging something in the car when the shift knob pops loose.

Thanks very much. I have ordered a replacement knob and await its arrival.

Followed these instructions, & surprise! worked perfectly

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Bimmer App

Good news then! Thanks.

Job done. Ordered new one from Ebay (BMW Direct) £50.00 :-( but arrived this morning 2 days after ordering. 60 seconds old off, new on. Thanks to everybody's help.

Originally Posted by etnav382

Some have suggested opening the sunroof because the knob will kinda fly off when it comes off.

Greatest advice I've read on this forum!