S-Tronic Shift Knob

[awhk82]

was it difficult to twist it?

I wouldn't say it's difficult, but need a lot of patient as you don't want to overheat and melt the plastic.

[Rabbit222]

Thanks for this dude. Just ordered mine from the same ebay seller...

Just installed the A3 knob on my S5 Sportback.

[guy013]

Thanks for this dude. Just ordered mine from the same ebay seller...

same here. should be in my hands next week. if you do get it installed before me would appreciate some pics and how you did the twisting,

[Rabbit222]

same here. should be in my heads next week. if you do get it installed before me would appreciate some pics and how you did the twisting,

Yeah waiting for feedback as to when they will ship out. Mine will most probably get done at my local Audi dealership....

[DavidSilverS4]

I wonder if the S4/S5 plastic piece can be replaced by the plastic piece from the A3? Then you dont have to melt and twist the original piece. Does anyone have access to the Audi ETK/EPC to get us drawings on the parts? or part numbers?

[awhk82]

I wonder if the S4/S5 plastic piece can be replaced by the plastic piece from the A3? Then you dont have to melt and twist the original piece. Does anyone have access to the Audi ETK/EPC to get us drawings on the parts? or part numbers?

Yes, the plastic rod can be changed to a RS5 one, which should be a direct fit to our 'normal' B8's. The problem is many trims like the centre console, armrest, etc. needs to be removed in order to 'free-up' the plastic rod. I believe the plastic rod itself isn't cheap either.

[kapikog]

The A3 leather looks perforated. I would imagine that it has a completely different look/feel to the leather on the steering wheel. These two items normally match look & feel (i.e. same kind of leather - even the same cow :o ).

[awhk82]

I have chosen the perforated knob because of this.

[Rabbit222]

Do you have a thread on the steering wheel swop? Was that an expensive mod? Meaning did you need to get a new airbag to work with it? Looks awesome!

[awhk82]

I don't have a write up on the installation. Basically, you need a TT airbag, flat bottom steering wheel (RS6, TT, etc.), and both the TT and the original B8 airbag harnesses to make a 'hybrid harness'.

[Rabbit222]

I don't have a write up on the installation. Basically, you need a TT airbag, flat bottom steering wheel (RS6, TT, etc.), and both the TT and the original B8 airbag harnesses to make a 'hybrid harness'.

Cost factor collectively with all parts included?

[awhk82]

Cost factor collectively with all parts included?

Approx US$1,800. You maybe able to find some on Ebay for marginally cheaper.

[Rabbit222]

Thanks Alex.

[guy013]

the s-tronic knob just came in the mail for me. i dont know if i've just fk-ed it up cos it came with a red stick in the middle, and i pulled it out. i thought the trigger was spring loaded so i pressed it in, and now it won't come out. did i just make it impossible to insert into the shift stick now? i cant seem to get the trigger to pop back out.

[guy013]

And how do u remove the stock shifter

[guy013]

And how do u remove the stock shifter

[NickS]

JFC... someone make a DIY on this already.

[awhk82]

the s-tronic knob just came in the mail for me. i dont know if i've just fk-ed it up cos it came with a red stick in the middle, and i pulled it out. i thought the trigger was spring loaded so i pressed it in, and now it won't come out. did i just make it impossible to insert into the shift stick now? i cant seem to get the trigger to pop back out.

Hmm... I guess this happened to everyone... you need to remove the shift boot (try twisting then pulling, and yes, it's a bitch to remove) from the S-tronic knob, then remove the metal collar (middle part of the knob). You may use a thin screw driver to pop the trigger back out from the inside. While popping the trigger, you can see the hook mechanism in the knob, which gives you a better idea on how it will pull on the shifter rod once installed. Try to use some tool to prevent the trigger from popping back into the knob in order to install.

And how do u remove the stock shifter

Remove shift boot by prying at either the front or rear of the shift boot with a thin plastic rod. You will then see a metal tie holding to the bottom of the original knob, remove it. Pull the trigger of the original shifter outward. Use some zip ties or rubberbands to fill in the gap between the trigger and the knob to prevent the trigger popping back into the knob. You should then be able to pull the shiftknob straight up.

Hope this helps.

[guy013]

Hmm... I guess this happened to everyone... you need to remove the shift boot (try twisting then pulling, and yes, it's a bitch to remove) from the S-tronic knob, then remove the metal collar (middle part of the knob). You may use a thin screw driver to pop the trigger back out from the inside. While popping the trigger, you can see the hook mechanism in the knob, which gives you a better idea on how it will pull on the shifter rod once installed. Try to use some tool to prevent the trigger from popping back into the knob in order to install.


.

do you mean to twist and pull the black knob thing on the inside of the shift boot connecting to the underside of the shift knob? i could pull the trigger out using a sharp tool but it's spring loaded pretty strong. i thought the spring was supposed to be the opposite direction ie, spring out, rather than spring in.

anyway i will try again to see how to remove the shift boot.

thanks so much for your help.

*ok i managed to get the shift boot off the a3 knob by prying open the black plastic bits underneath it with small flat head screw drivers

[zee007]

Another swap (with pics) here: http://www.a5oc.com/forums/showthrea...x.html?t=12400

I'm going to atempt mine next weekend...

[RedSled]

Ideally I want a round knob like the ones shown in previous posts, with the "S-tronic" logo on top, but with smooth leather, not perforated. Does anyone know from which car it comes, and where it can be ordered?

[guy013]

Another swap (with pics) here: http://www.a5oc.com/forums/showthrea...x.html?t=12400

I'm going to atempt mine next weekend...

be very very careful NOT TO PRESS IN THE TRIGGER of the S-tronic gearknob when it arrives in the mail. that should only be done as the FINAL STEP after you insert it into the selector lever, to hook onto the selector lever pin.

i actually FUBAR-ed my 1st S-tronic knob messing around with the springs etc and my 2nd one is due to reach me today. for the past week i've been driving around without a gearknob

[zee007]

be very very careful NOT TO PRESS IN THE TRIGGER of the S-tronic gearknob when it arrives in the mail. that should only be done as the FINAL STEP after you insert it into the selector lever, to hook onto the selector lever pin.

i actually FUBAR-ed my 1st S-tronic knob messing around with the springs etc and my 2nd one is due to reach me today. for the past week i've been driving around without a gearknob

Great - thanks for the heads up man - really appreciate it...

[DavidSilverS4]

Please create a detailed DIY if you can. This is at the top of my list of things to do.

[guy013]

Ok guys. I will do up a step by step DIY this weekend. Thi isn't a mod for the faint hearted. If u fk up the selector lever pin during the twisting exercise it is going to be very expensive to fix. I'll try to take as many photos as I can of the whole process.

[Rabbit222]

Received my shift knob today and was greeted with a hair line crack on the top of the shift knob. I contacted the supplier who inturn blamed the postal service and said that I should sell the unit at half the price I paid for it :S I'm miffed because had they packaged the product accordingly I wouldn't have had the issue....

One thing that i did notice was that the shift knob was not perforated like Alex's and matches up quite nicely with my stock steering wheel.



Hair line crack under a camera flash





Other pics...

[NickS]

Wow....talk about shittAy customer service. I will make it a point to never buy from them... who did you order from?

If you bought it with a CC, call and dispute the charges.

[Rabbit222]

Wow....talk about shittAy customer service. I will make it a point to never buy from them... who did you order from?

If you bought it with a CC, call and dispute the charges.

Thing is, I bought the RS6 pedal set from them as well and am waiting for that to ship out. Fact is it could have been dropped on arrival at our SA postal service or it could have been damaged in Germany...sadly I'd never know.

[Zed 2.0]

A vendor could make a pretty penny by designing knobs specifically designed for the S4/S5, that don't require torquing parts of the shifter assembly around.

[NickS]

Thing is, I bought the RS6 pedal set from them as well and am waiting for that to ship out. Fact is it could have been dropped on arrival at our SA postal service or it could have been damaged in Germany...sadly I'd never know.

Even more of a reason to NOT buy from these people. WHO is the vendor? I'd certainly tell them that you made it known how crappy they are on the forums.

[Rabbit222]

Even more of a reason to NOT buy from these people. WHO is the vendor? I'd certainly tell them that you made it known how crappy they are on the forums.

Busy with them as we speak so lets see how this pans out. Like I said, it would be unfair to point fingers as it could have been damaged on arrival in SA...

I'll keep you guys updated of the outcome.

[RedSled]

I am trying to read the Audi part number from your photo. Is it 8P1 713 139 AB SKH? Is it the knob from A3 S-tronic, S3 S-tronic, or some other model? It is exactly what I want!

[guy013]

that is so weird cos i bought from the same vendor and i received mine with the perforated leather!

[ppdix]

Hi I saw your post but I can't find the eBay link you keep mentioning... I looked for the part number and can't seem to find it anywhere online.
Please let me know where I can get this knob. Thanx a lot for your time.
Cheers. Patrick

[ppdix]

Busy with them as we speak so lets see how this pans out. Like I said, it would be unfair to point fingers as it could have been damaged on arrival in SA...

I'll keep you guys updated of the outcome.

Hi Rabbit, could u please tell me where u got this knob? Thanx a lot. Patrick

[ppdix]

that is so weird cos i bought from the same vendor and i received mine with the perforated leather!

Hey guy, who is the vendor please?
Thanx so much. Patrick

[guy013]

this is where i ordered the gearknob from
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=200481923463

this is what my gearknob looks like with the shift boot removed.

[guy013]

ok guys, i had originally thought i had FUBAR-ed my 1st s-tronic gearknob. turns out i could still use it. i had broken one of the 2 springs that is used to hold the trigger in. i managed to fit it into my car now but the only thing is that because it has only 1 spring left, the trigger doesnt stick out as much as it should, but still can press in to select gears etc.its just that the movement is about half what it should be. in any case, my new S-tronic knob should be here anyday now and i'll put that one in. not sure what to do with this one though.... money spent to learn i guess.

this is the part number of the S-tronic knob and shift boot that i bought.


this is the part number of the original a4b8 knob + shift boot


1) when you receive your S-tronic knob, the 1st thing you should do is remove the red plastic rod WITHOUT pressing in the trigger. Dont worry the trigger will still be OUT even after you remove the RED ROD. it is held out by a mechanism inside the knob head.

2) then you need to remove the shift boot. i didnt take pics of this but basically underneath the shift boot is a round black ribbed plastic thing which can turn about 30 degrees. make sure the 2 thick lines are NOT ALIGNED. then pull with all your might to separate the shift boot from the gearknob. you dont need this shift boot anymore cos it only fits the A3.


3) Next you remove your stock shift boot. use a small thin plastic piece to pry open from the SIDES, not the TOP, as that is where the clips are. there are 2 on each side and should be fairly easy to pull out. once you done so, the underneath has a metal locking ring holding the gearknob in place. i didnt know how to remove this without destroying it but i'm sure there will be those who can figure it out. if so, you can re-use this later to secure the S3 knob in place.

4) once the metal locking ring is removed, you can basically pull the gearknob out with a bit of force. now the original knob + shift boot is out, time for the dirty work......

5) you see the white plastic selector lever pin with the hole in the middle facing the side? well you need to heat this up and twist the whole damn thing so that the opening now faces the top. i used a lighter and a set of pliers to twist it. this will take a fair bit of time to do (~20min) as i was careful not to melt the plastic rod. take note that if this plastic rod breaks, you are in a world of pain ($$$$$$$$) to get it replaced. this is what it should look like when you are done.


6) now if you have followed all the steps carefully, you should almost be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. the trigger on the S3 knob should still be OUT. fix the original shift boot to the bottom of the S3 knob. it should click in place. lower the shift boot and gear knob over the selector lever and press it all the way in so that it doesnt turn left or right. if you still had the metal tie from step 3, then you can re-use this to fasten the S3 knob on the lever. if not, you can re-use the black plastic ribbed piece from step 2. this isn't as secure but will still work. this is what it looks like.




7) NOW that the S3 knob is IN, you can PUSH IN THE TRIGGER so that it will hook onto the selector lever pin. clip the shift boot back in and bring that camera out to show the rest of audizine what your spanking new knob looks like!





once again, i really cannot emphasize the importance of not pressing the S3 trigger IN when you receive your knob in the mail. doing so will complicate the process tremendously. i am at pains to describe the process to get that hook back out without a specific Audi tool which we do not have access too.

[awhk82]

Excellent write up Guy!

[Rabbit222]

Awesome DIY info there guy! Thanks!

Some feedback of my own regarding the ebay seller and my shifter, he has happily refunded me 28.01 EUR which in my opinion is fair.