Installing a shift knob

[FirstSpider]

O.K. so I feel like a complete idiot for asking this because I've installed many shift knobs in the past and never had this kind of trouble. I ordered a new aftermarket shifter online the other day, it's threaded and should just screw on, it also came with a locking disc, the only problem is that the shift lever on my fiat is not threaded and I can't figure out how to get it on, any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[azruss]

never seen one that wasnt threaded. what may be happening is the knob and shaft are both rotating when you are trying to unscrew the knob.

[FirstSpider]

nope. the shift knob is off and the actual shifter arm doesn't apprear to be threadded, I'll go out and get a few pics

[azruss]

most knobs have an insert glued in. make sure you didnt leave the insert behind when you pulled the knob.

[JammerX19]

nope. the shift knob is off and the actual shifter arm doesn't apprear to be threadded, I'll go out and get a few pics

The Nardi knob that was in my car when I bought it is held on by three small hex screws positioned around the bottom of the knob. They were hidden by a black metal cap that threaded onto the main part of the knob. Maybe yours is similar.

[FirstSpider]

Here it is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/72984020@N04/7564837862/

[RRoller123]

See if that end piece will spin off the shaft. Try holding the shaft with pliers. Maybe the threads are underneath.

[narfire]

The bottom of the plastic should/might be an insert that has to be pryed out. Look for an exploded picture of the shifter and components

[FirstSpider]

Well I got the plastic bit off, still no threads to be found

[narfire]

That shaft from the tranny does not have any threads. The chrome sleave sits on top of that shaft and stays on with the white plastic thingy you just took off. The chrome sleave does have a thread at the top for the knob.
There are aftermarket sleaves that will slide over the shaft that are not as long as the original chrome one and are attached with small allan screws,(don't rotate then) they also have a tread at the top for your shift knob of choice.

[FirstSpider]

where can I find said Chrome sleeve?

[81SPIDERMATT]

search michigan short shifter

Mark has a cool one also

those are the only 2 i know of.... but i dont know much

[narfire]

where can I find said Chrome sleeve?

The original chrome sleeve would likely be available from any number of the cars below that are being parted out. You might be needing the plastic "guts" that you just removed to keep the original sleeve in place.
The shorter shifters slide over the steel shifter from the tranny and are made from brushed steel or stainless. They shorten the overall length of the shifter several inches.

[tartan18]

Here is a picture of how the shifter is assembled. What you appear to have is the lower shaft (item 7). What you might want to do is get either a replacement chrome shaft (OEM style item 2) or go with a shorter one. I went shorter.



I bought mine from Auto Ricambi.



You can see the small allen set screws that secure the new (shorter) shaft. The short shaft has threads for the knob.

[JammerX19]

Hey tartan, what's that nifty doo-dad that is wired up under your glove box there?