Jopar_X 7 Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 (edited) Ok, so I know a lot of us have been searching for a way to remove that pesky shift knob, without having to cut or drill. Thankfully, I have found a way. Tools you'll need are: 7"-10" pair of vice grips, and cutters Est. removal time: 5-10 minutes 1. First, you'll remove the boot, simply by grabbing the base of the boot, and lifting with your fingertips. 2. Next, you'll lift up the boot over the knob, and use the cutters to cut the ziptie off of the boot 3. Once that's done, you can pull the boot off the rest of the way, over the shift knob. 4. Once you get the boot off, you'll take your vice grips, and lock it into place, where the ziptie was holding the boot up 5. Now comes the fun part. Using your free hand, grip the lever bar for support; and with your strong hand, twist the knob using the vice grips in any direction until it gives. 6. Once this happens, you're basically going to work it left and right. I found that after it gives, if I use the palm of one hand to press down on the shift knob, while twisting; this will increase the amount of friction and wear down the glue/plastic faster. Once it's twisting back & forth easy while pushing down on the knob; you can now twist the knob back & forth, while pulling up. Eventually you'll be able to slide that sucker right off, and reveal the diamond beveled lever tip underneath (Sorry for the blurry picture) Now your Spark is ready for the desired custom shift knob of your choice I hope this helps!!! Edited July 25, 2013 by Jopar_X Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 OK, so the gorilla approach was the correct one all along. Jopar_X 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Jopar_X 7 Posted July 25, 2013 Author Share Posted July 25, 2013 OK, so the gorilla approach was the correct one all along. Yes and no. But mostly yes lol. You just want to be careful when lifting, but the housing for the shift lever's ball joint, looks like super cheap plastic. Which is why I recommend twisting the snot out of the knob 'til it feels super loose. Link to post Share on other sites
Sara Ladd 2 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 Once you get the knob off, is the lever threaded so you can screw an aftermarket knob right on? Link to post Share on other sites
psquare75 35 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 The manual transmission was not. It's knurled. FWIW, I just lopped mine off with a dremel, but I wanted to shorten it as well. Link to post Share on other sites
Sara Ladd 2 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 So where do I find a knob to fit it then? Because all the ones I have found are threaded...and I don't want to shorten the throw, I only want to replace the cheap plastic stock knob. Link to post Share on other sites
psquare75 35 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 https://www.speeddawg.com/taxonomy/term/57 I used this, but from another vendor. Then a threaded knob fits on this. Link to post Share on other sites
psquare75 35 Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 So that is a clamp to thread adapter on the stock shaft? Link to post Share on other sites
psquare75 35 Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Sort of, it has set screws... It's so tight sliding on that I didn't bother using them.. This isn't going anywhere. Link to post Share on other sites
Dani Koi 0 Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 What about if you have an automatic Spark? has anyone removed the shift knob on one of those, and if so, what steps does it take? I want to be certain before i spend ogod money on a conversion kit and aftermarket knob. Link to post Share on other sites
Dori 13 Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 When I first purchased my Spark there was some paint wear on the shift knob. I took it in under warranty. You know what the dealer did? They replaced the ENTIRE shift lever assemble..... Link to post Share on other sites
kalvin66 0 Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 (edited) Here's my shifter...light up in green........ Edited January 25, 2015 by kalvin66 Link to post Share on other sites
Romeo62185 10 Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 So any knob will fit then? Link to post Share on other sites
G Mohan Nag 0 Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 I tried a lot to remove it but no way, its not giving up Link to post Share on other sites
Dirt road master 1 Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 (edited) What about if you have an automatic Spark? has anyone removed the shift knob on one of those, and if so, what steps does it take? I want to be certain before i spend ogod money on a conversion kit and aftermarket knob. I agree I have a automatic 2015 Spark LT and really want to change the shift knob. Help! Edited July 24, 2015 by Dirt road master Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Dockrey 97 Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Its easy on the automatics. Loosen the two setscrews on the front of the shift knob and after they are backed out so far the shifter knob will lift off. Nothing to it. Link to post Share on other sites
My4by2 17 Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Thanks to the help on this forum I took my ugly factory knob off, shortened my shaft some & added a custom knob from SpeedDawg - love the way it turned out & much better feel when driving! Link to post Share on other sites
jibb3r 29 Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Thanks to the help on this forum I took my ugly factory knob off, shortened my shaft some & added a custom knob from SpeedDawg - love the way it turned out & much better feel when driving! I've wanted to do this for two years now, never got around to it. After seeing the pictures, I think I'm going to make the move! Did you get an adapter with the knob? The link to the one in this thread doesn't work, since it's so old. Link to post Share on other sites
My4by2 17 Posted August 11, 2015 Share Posted August 11, 2015 Yes, SpeedDawg offers an adapter for non-threaded shafts - it's universal & has rubber inserts for various sized shafts & then an aluminum base to go around that & that is what ball screws to. Lots of different designs on the shift balls too!!! Link to post Share on other sites
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