I can't believe it
 

I have done my share of wrenching on cars and mostly motorcycles and this really pi$$es me off but I'm going to have to take the car into the dealer to remove the %%$# gear shift knob. I can't stand the stock knob. No matter how I hold it it feels like it's awkward and or not aligned with any part of my hand and just simpley feels all wrong.


I used vise grips on the part just below the actual knob, clamped the pi$$ out of them, used counterforce and twisted the knob as hard as I could until my wrist felt like it was gonna snap and could not get it to come loose or even make cracking sounds. I imagine using a wrench (strap wrench) or something on the knob would give me more leverage but I'm not spending X amount on a Craftsmen specialty wrench that I'm only gonna use once.

Why the hell do they use so much locktite?

On my Nissan PU I had to end up using a carbide cutting wheel and drill to get it off and ain't know way I'm doing that again.

On a happier note I got my windows tinted today:D

Oh yeah and another thing was those $%^#ing aluminium pedal covers:mad:

For those of you that installed them, did your gas pedal come with only 2 plastic pieces like my kit did? One part was the gizmo with the hole in it and a snap clip for the top part is all I got and had to work with.

Installed with the 2 parts they included, the metal pedal clanks (sloppy and loose) against the throttle arm. I ended up using double sided foam tape to insulate it and keep it all lined up nice and neat. Works great, solid as a rock but I can't help but think that there was a 3rd piece they forgeot to include.

The brake and clutch covers were actually the easiest part of the install, despite the horror stories I have heard about arthritis. Amazing what scalding hot water will do for softening up rubber.

Dead pedal threw me off for about 10 minutes (ok 15!!!) until I realzed I was over thinking how it mounts. Looked like some elaborate line this up, then twist the flat head slot and they will lock/ click into place type thing, when in reality is was just simply a freakin screw out, screw in deal.

Before I went to the hardware store to get the foam tape, I tried making due with electrical tape. Didn't work. so had to go get foam tape but only after I sliced the tip of my finger with the knife trying to remove the old tape from the throttle arm. Damn thing wouldn't stop bleeding. Luclilky I didn't bleed all over my Nismo mats, which is what of course most importanat:D

I need to slow down when I'm working on projetcs:mad: :p


I'm gonna shot the gear knob too:icon34:

What?

:pic:

imprettysure what you did was hold the chrom part of the knob thinking it wasnt attached.... if you did this your wrong the whole thing is one piece. and you have to viese onto the rubber coupler on the bottom shaft

woo hoo I got it off.

I forgot I had a big ass crescent wrench, so I tried that and a towel on the knob and it came off.

Didn't even mess up the stock knob.


Now I just gotta work on finishing up the boot fitment, without resorting to the toilet part method:)

I feel so good, I might even throw in the Pop Charger Sunday

mine came off easy, I only used one hand... I guess it was loose. Gotta Love that CF Nismo Shift knob!! stock is heavey I was surprised.

It can be done.
 

For some reason, a number of 350Z owners have reported that their gear shift knobs have been more difficult to remove than others. As long as you can firmly secure the shaft, the shift knob can be removed by applying a little extra (elbow grease) torque.

A similar approach
 

*See attached. ;)

Well I ended up using the toilet groment gizmo because I could find a specific plastic washer and it actually looks a lot better in person than the pics I saw of people using it.

If I ever find a way to rig it, I'm going to hook the groment up to a drill and shave (sand off) about 1/8" off of the overall diameter of the sharp edge of it's base because it's a tad too wide for my taste but pretty damn close to a perfect fit, as you will find in any hardware store.

I'm already thinking of changing to a different knob anyway because even though I love the looks of the new knob, it seems a little on the small side.

I had so much trouble getting the stocker off that I literally broke it into 4 pieces. I was soo pissed! Got my Voodoo on now and I love it.