My shift knob is crooked

[JMG]

This pic was taken months ago, but the knob is actually more crooked now. Is this an easy fix? I have never taken the knob off a B7. There is a retaining clip underneath correct? Easy to do? Tools? Replacement clip?

[2PUTT]

check out JHM's video online. it will show you how to do it.

EDIT: here is the link...

http://audishifter.com/videos/JHM_B6...nd_Install.wmv

[RAudi Driver]

The retaining clip is pressed into place. Once removed it can't be replaced so go to your auto parts store and pick up a small hose clamp to put in its place when you go to reassemble it. It's pretty easy and straight forward.

[JMG]

Is it the retaining clip itself that prevents rotation?

[Bpitz15]

yes


EDIT: Now that i really think about it... isnt the shaft grooved?

[JMG]

yes


EDIT: Now that i really think about it... isnt the shaft grooved?

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. It's grooved, but all around. That must be one tight retaining ring because I can't budge my shift knob.

[AvanTTix]

The retainer clip is there to prevent from the knob from being pulled off, but it's not there to prevent it from turning. Ever since I got a SS I got ride of the fastener clip. The end of the shifter isn't a complete circle, it's a half moon or something like a D if you will or for lack of better words. The know has the same form and should slide on the shifter so that once it's installed it should be centered.

[JMG]

The retainer clip is there to prevent from the knob from being pulled off, but it's not there to prevent it from turning. Ever since I got a SS I got ride of the fastener clip. The end of the shifter isn't a complete circle, it's a half moon or something like a D if you will or for lack of better words. The know has the same form and should slide on the shifter so that once it's installed it should be centered.

So the shifter is shaped like D and so is the knob? If that is true then I can't re-center my knob. Why/how did it get off center then?

[AvanTTix]

You can see the top of my SS in the bottom right corner. I know it's not the best but it's all I've got.



See how the last half inch/inch is shaped at the end? It's not totally round. The knob has a similar opposite matting shape.

Where is the seam of the leather on your knob? Is it facing forward dead center? If that's the case, then maybe it's just the plate that has the gear markings that has turned. Just a theory...

BTW is it even an OEM knob?

[ieatfishburitos]

I don't think OEM knobs can be rotated. Aftermarket ones may depending on if they included the notch or not. The only way to have it misaligned with the oem shifter knob is to not have your shifter adjusted properly.

From the picture, yours doesn't look OEM.

[ABanT]

Looks like my ABT shift knob. Either way, it is aftermarket for sure. The aftermarket ones don't have the groove because it is made for a universal application. Its just round and you choose different rubber adapters to make it a really tight fit. Mine is also held in by 3 little hex screws with pointed tips to "drill" into the metal shaft. These made their own groove on the shaft so it started to rotate. Tightening it only strips the holes (bottom of shift knob is plastic) and made it worse.

I'm just assuming yours is ABT now, but you have to remove the ring under the shift knob to expose the screws. Take them out, remove the shift knob and wrap some electric tape onto the end of the shaft to make it a tighter fit. Solved my problem. Also add a bit of locktite to the screws so they don't back out.

Hope this helps.

I should say the same thing happened to me, but I could twist mine back and then it would just turn when I shifted anyways.

[Matt@JHM]

The shafts is keyed like shown above but most of the time the shift knob does not fit very tight on this key. Once you loosen/remove the retaining clip underneath the knob, you will have a small window for rotation adjustment. This is assuming it is an audi/vw OEM knob.

[JMG]

Thanks for the replies guys, it's actually the OEM knob for the 25th AE S4. It says 1 of 250 on it. That's one of the reasons I want to fix instead of replace it.

I just checked, the seam on the knob is actually perfectly aligned!! It must just be the insert, but I cant for the life of me turn it. Anyone have any success at this?

[Matt@JHM]

Thanks for the replies guys, it's actually the OEM knob for the 25th AE S4. It says 1 of 250 on it. That's one of the reasons I want to fix instead of replace it.

I just checked, the seam on the knob is actually perfectly aligned!! It must just be the insert, but I cant for the life of me turn it. Anyone have any success at this?

Ouch, that sucks... Good luck man.

[jaybquick@JHM]

Thanks for the replies guys, it's actually the OEM knob for the 25th AE S4. It says 1 of 250 on it. That's one of the reasons I want to fix instead of replace it.

I just checked, the seam on the knob is actually perfectly aligned!! It must just be the insert, but I cant for the life of me turn it. Anyone have any success at this?

Is it an OEM shifter or an aftermarket shifter?

[JMG]

Is it an OEM shifter or an aftermarket shifter?

OEM

[jaybquick@JHM]

OEM

It doesn't look hollow and crimped on the end like OEM. Get me a closer pic of it.

We need to see if the flat spot on the left of the shifter is straight, if not it is the knob that is out of whack. Plus I would like to see if it is definitely aftermarket or not. We make ours out of steel and others make them out of aluminum. Stock is a zinc plated stamped steel that is hollow.

If it is aftermarket there could be 2 things up with it.
1 - They sent you an A4 shifter that would have a straight bottom base instead of an angled one that the S4 requires.
2 - It is installed wrong somehow.
3 - It is one of our older models needing the update. (which we do for free, just send it in)

[VR2V8]

Thanks for the replies guys, it's actually the OEM knob for the 25th AE S4. It says 1 of 250 on it. That's one of the reasons I want to fix instead of replace it.

I just checked, the seam on the knob is actually perfectly aligned!! It must just be the insert, but I cant for the life of me turn it. Anyone have any success at this?

I had that happen with an OEM VW knob once. The insert was just stuck on from the factory with double sided tape. I guess the adhesive just got weak over time.

I pulled the insert completely off, removed the remnants of the tape, and glued the insert back in place with a couple drops of superglue. It never moved again.

Chances are good that yours is made the same way.


Good luck.

[JMG]

The seam is on top of the knob and perfectly aligned, so I have a feeling it's the insert like VR2V8 said. I'll take it apart tomorrow to see if the shifter itself is misaligned just to be sure.

[jaybquick@JHM]

The seam is on top of the knob and perfectly aligned, so I have a feeling it's the insert like VR2V8 said. I'll take it apart tomorrow to see if the shifter itself is misaligned just to be sure.

Yup, looks like that is the case. At least you know what you got to do now.

[slowturbo]

Completely random sidenote but that rs4 trim is the sex! Your interior is beautiful. Love the s4 25

[JMG]

I had that happen with an OEM VW knob once. The insert was just stuck on from the factory with double sided tape. I guess the adhesive just got weak over time.

I pulled the insert completely off, removed the remnants of the tape, and glued the insert back in place with a couple drops of superglue. It never moved again.

Chances are good that yours is made the same way.


Good luck.

I fixed it this morning thanks! The insert came out with some prying. I straightened it and popped it back in no prob.
Thanks for the help everyone!

[Matt@JHM]

Glad you figured it out

[jemarent]

Would you happen to know where i could find that shift knob or just the insert? I just picked up my 25Q and the insert is all banged up. I'm guesing the previous owner wore a big ring or something.

[jemarent]

i'm also curious as to what ipod interface you're using in your 25Q?

[JMG]

Would you happen to know where i could find that shift knob or just the insert? I just picked up my 25Q and the insert is all banged up. I'm guesing the previous owner wore a big ring or something.

The dealer can order one for you, but my understanding is that you will get a blank one. I've heard you can get the whole shift know online somewhere, but I haven't been able to find it.

i'm also curious as to what ipod interface you're using in your 25Q?

It's the DICE unit. More details here:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...highlight=dice

[rlee6462]

http://audishifter.com/videos/JHM_B6...nd_Install.wmv

[sakimano]

that's awful

tell Audi you want a new car. Unacceptable.