Any tips or tricks for re-installing the gear shifter?

[OlyS6]

All, as part of my sound deadening project, when I removed the cnter console and seats, I removed the gear shifter as well. I've been trying to follow the shop manual to re-install it. I know the button needs to be pried to a fully 'open' position (pulled out) and then held in place with a zip tie or similar to keep it from springing all the way back in. Whenever I put the gearshifter back on and seat it firmly, once I pull the zip tie, the button simply springs all the way to the 'closed' position (it depresses all the way), and doesn't seem to catch on to the plastic piece on the metal shift pole.

Anybody have any experience with this and have any tips for what I might be doing incorrectly?

[low-profile]

I still have my old shifter knob. I will take a look for you and see if we can get button reset.


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[OlyS6]

Thanks!

[low-profile]

You have me thinking here. Are you sure you seated the shifter handle all the way? if the button is going to the closed position, is it possible that the shifter is not fully seated? The shifter rod should prevent the button from bottoming out.


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[OlyS6]

I've tried at least half a dozen times, and I believe I seated it as far down as I could get it, but I'm sure it's possible I didn't. I'll try again tonight- do you recall having to use much force to get it seated correctly?

[morski]

Cant be seated fully down if it keeps snapping closed. I have taken them off a few times and it can be fiddly even after the heat and twist. Give it a light tap after you think its down as far it goes

[OlyS6]

Cant be seated fully down if it keeps snapping closed. I have taken them off a few times and it can be fiddly even after the heat and twist. Give it a light tap after you think its down as far it goes

Thanks- I'll report back after I try some more tonight. I don't understand what you mean by heat and twist, however. What does that entail?

Also, it seems there is a piece within the shifter knob that moves around a bit depending on how you hold it. Any idea if that's normal?

[morski]

Dont worry about that. Its when you fit the facelift shift knob. I meant i have done that and it can be awkward when reinstalling but still managed to get the knob back on.
Is it the small piece that moves up and down even with the depresser pushed in?

[p3u]

From the sound of it either the knob isn't depressed all the way down or the shift button isn't fully extended when attempting the installation.

I had a similar issue when I changed knobs a couple months ago. I ended up sticking a piece microfiber cloth in the button to ensure it was fully extended.

[OlyS6]

Great- thanks guys- I've just used a zip tie, and it may not be holding the button completely open. I'll try something different to hold it completely open when I fit it back on.

The small piece that sounds like it's moving around sounds as though it moves forwards/backwards within the knob depending on how you tilt it. I haven't tried seeing if the button extended or fully depressed makes a difference in the sound.

[low-profile]

You might want to try wrapping the sides of the button with tape. You can then pull the button fully out when reinstalling. Give it a good hammer fist this time. I do recall that I thought I had mine seated but it wasn’t the first time I tried reinstalling, lots of plastic in there and I didn’t want to break anything.
Heat and twist is if you are installing a shifter with the shifter button in a different orientation.

[OlyS6]

Ah- got it- thanks!

[low-profile]

IMG_9384.JPGIMG_5509.JPG

Visual reference for tape method and how far out the button should be at full extension.

OlyS6, there is no loose pieces inside my shifter. If it turns out you need another one, your are welcome to my original shifter. Here’s a pic of what I swapped to.


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[beer0ckka]

If you have the facelift s6 shifter the top leather cover can be removed to see how far the knob is depressed


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[beer0ckka]

IMG_2457.JPGIMG_2458.JPG


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[OlyS6]

Thanks a bunch guys- I tried a bunch of times again last night, pulling the button as far out as it will go, and ensuring the knob is well seated before letting the button go. The button still keeps fully depressing on its own when I release it. I believe I likely busted whatever piece latches onto the vertical notch in the shifter pole when I removed the handle. I do have the facelift version, so I'll take of the top leather portion and see what I can figure out. May be time to order a CF shifter knob!