Aftermarket shift knob install suggestion
#1
I wish I was driving!
Thread Starter
Aftermarket shift **** install suggestion
I was installing an aftermarket Grant Evolution shift **** this weekend on an S4, and, like most aftermarket shift *****, was held in place via allen head set screws.
I will say this once: I HATE set screws.
They always come loose and they knew feel tight. Sure, you can drill into the threads of the shifter, but I still never achieve the firmness I like.
So, I looked to my good friend for a solution: FIRE.
Whipped out the old MPS bottle and took it to the stock S4 shift ****... the synthetic leather burnt off pretty quick, leaving behind a grey plastic shift ****... keeping the torch nice and close to this grey plastic, it quickly turned to liquid and melted away, leaving behind an aluminum threaded sleeve.
This threaded sleeve, after some minor casting flash cleanup with a pocketknife, fit directly into the grant ****... almost like it was made to fit, just about 1.5 cm too long, which was quickly taken care of with the metal cutting bandsaw. I lubed the threads up with green loctite, and then shoved it back into the ****, and let it dry while I installed poly bushings, a CDI unit, and an Ignited push button ignition.
I installed the shifter ****, and tightened the stock jamnut against the shifter, and wound up with: adjustable alignment, perfect shifter tightness, and a **** that fits like stock. This made me happy, considering how easy it was, and how hard it is to find an attractive aftermarket **** with threads to fit an S4.
Short version:
Sean hates set screws. He likes fire. He burnt a stock shift **** and took out the threaded insert from it, and found it fits a grant shift **** perfectly. He used loctite to glue the two parts together, and wound up with an attractive **** that fits like stock.
Definitely one of my less technical posts... heh. Happy New Year.
I will say this once: I HATE set screws.
They always come loose and they knew feel tight. Sure, you can drill into the threads of the shifter, but I still never achieve the firmness I like.
So, I looked to my good friend for a solution: FIRE.
Whipped out the old MPS bottle and took it to the stock S4 shift ****... the synthetic leather burnt off pretty quick, leaving behind a grey plastic shift ****... keeping the torch nice and close to this grey plastic, it quickly turned to liquid and melted away, leaving behind an aluminum threaded sleeve.
This threaded sleeve, after some minor casting flash cleanup with a pocketknife, fit directly into the grant ****... almost like it was made to fit, just about 1.5 cm too long, which was quickly taken care of with the metal cutting bandsaw. I lubed the threads up with green loctite, and then shoved it back into the ****, and let it dry while I installed poly bushings, a CDI unit, and an Ignited push button ignition.
I installed the shifter ****, and tightened the stock jamnut against the shifter, and wound up with: adjustable alignment, perfect shifter tightness, and a **** that fits like stock. This made me happy, considering how easy it was, and how hard it is to find an attractive aftermarket **** with threads to fit an S4.
Short version:
Sean hates set screws. He likes fire. He burnt a stock shift **** and took out the threaded insert from it, and found it fits a grant shift **** perfectly. He used loctite to glue the two parts together, and wound up with an attractive **** that fits like stock.
Definitely one of my less technical posts... heh. Happy New Year.
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#10
I wish I was driving!
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by JDUBrx7
Dont buy your shift **** at autozone. Cardomain has some nice stuff by razo, thay come with plastic sleeves that thread onto your shifter.
#13
I wish I was driving!
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Karack
i see your ditto and raise you one!
i have used B+M and Hurst shifters which have aluminum threaded inserts but i don't think a T handle quite suits an import over a domestic....
i have used B+M and Hurst shifters which have aluminum threaded inserts but i don't think a T handle quite suits an import over a domestic....
#17
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i have a HEAVY greddy **** is a solid ball of stainless steel that was threaded all i had to do was thread it on and done and i love it the sheer weight of the ***** makes up for the nochyness (sp?) of the short shifter
#18
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I have never had a problem with my old school wood ****.
Of couse the origonal 10-32 set screw is too small, so I tapped the hole to 1/4-20 (a much stronger thread).
The trick is the use a sleeve made from aluminum & test fit the screw to make a mark in the shift lever.
Then file a small flat for the set screw to bite on at that mark.
A 1" piece of heater hose hides the chrome collar & seals the boot.
Of couse the origonal 10-32 set screw is too small, so I tapped the hole to 1/4-20 (a much stronger thread).
The trick is the use a sleeve made from aluminum & test fit the screw to make a mark in the shift lever.
Then file a small flat for the set screw to bite on at that mark.
A 1" piece of heater hose hides the chrome collar & seals the boot.
Last edited by SureShot; 01-03-05 at 11:02 AM.
#20
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Mazdaracing makes a nice thread-on **** for the S4. It's round and comes in anodized black, blue, red, or chrome, and all have a rotor engraved on top. I just got the chrome one and it looks and feels great. $45 shipped. Website is mazdaracing.com. Click on Billet Shift *****.
#22
I wish I was driving!
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by tecknomage
any pics ?
i've seen a sparcco <--- is that right ? shiftknob that i want but its like 60 bucks
i've seen a sparcco <--- is that right ? shiftknob that i want but its like 60 bucks
#23
I wish I was driving!
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by nopistons
Mazdaracing makes a nice thread-on **** for the S4. It's round and comes in anodized black, blue, red, or chrome, and all have a rotor engraved on top. I just got the chrome one and it looks and feels great. $45 shipped. Website is mazdaracing.com. Click on Billet Shift *****.
Example: though the mazda racing shift ***** fit the stock shifter, I personally think they look gawdy. I'd rather have a shifter that I find attractive and make it fit like stock.
This is the shift **** that was installed:
As a review, its a pretty nice piece. It is fitted for right hand grip and feels very nice.