Before your start:
Step 1 - Order a cheap eBay, knock-off Type-R Gear Knob
Step 2 - You'll need something to tidy up the end of the leather gaiter. After much googling and pondering I went for this. I have no idea what it's real purpose is for, but it works for this application.
Step 3 - Get some zip ties, some thread lock and some Brasso.
Now you're ready to go!
Normal Gear Knob:
Pull down the leather gaiter under the plastic trim at the base of the knob. You'll feel some resistance, but give it a tug, you'll hear a click as the gaiter clip detaches. Now unscrew the knob:
Here you can see the yellow plastic clip that was holding the gaiter to the knob. Now open the ashtray and tug at the trim to pull it up. Unplug the heated seat switches and set the trim to one side. Maybe give it to your 3 year old son who's keeping you company on the passenger seat
.
Now shine up the shaft with the Brasso. Give it a good rub and up and down and then wipe away residue with a tissue ( :huh: ).
Now take the gaiter and with some wire cutters snip the cable tie that holds the gaiter to the plastic clip and then remove the plastic clip
Now the tricky bit. Take the little metal ring spacer/washer thing (you might want to give this a shiny rub down with the Brasso too) and wrap the end of the gaiter around the thinner part, trying to get even folds on either side as you look down at it. Then cable tie it firmly in place. This took me about 4 attempts to get right, so be prepared to lose a few cable ties.
Once in place you can tweak the fitment slightly should it not look completely even and right
Now put the gaiter trim all back in to place and it should start to make sense
Now put a drop of Thread-Lock in the new gear nob to stop it working loose over time with vibrations and temperature changes.
Then screw your new gear knob in place and bask in the Type-R goodness.
I already had the Cable Ties, Brasso and Thread Lock so the total cost was under £30. On very close inspection you can maybe tell it's not an official gear knob and gaiter trim, but at a glance it's quite stylish and it certainly feels nicer to drive with.
Also, not sure if it was made this way, but when fully screwed up as tight as it would go, the gear numbers lined up correctly. Maybe this was made this way, maybe I got lucky. If yours doesn't line up, you'll need a low profile M10 nut to use as a locking/adjusting nut ensuring your knob is lined up properly.
If you have a go at this one, please post your pictures.
Step 1 - Order a cheap eBay, knock-off Type-R Gear Knob
Step 2 - You'll need something to tidy up the end of the leather gaiter. After much googling and pondering I went for this. I have no idea what it's real purpose is for, but it works for this application.
Step 3 - Get some zip ties, some thread lock and some Brasso.
Now you're ready to go!
Normal Gear Knob:
Pull down the leather gaiter under the plastic trim at the base of the knob. You'll feel some resistance, but give it a tug, you'll hear a click as the gaiter clip detaches. Now unscrew the knob:
Here you can see the yellow plastic clip that was holding the gaiter to the knob. Now open the ashtray and tug at the trim to pull it up. Unplug the heated seat switches and set the trim to one side. Maybe give it to your 3 year old son who's keeping you company on the passenger seat
.
Now shine up the shaft with the Brasso. Give it a good rub and up and down and then wipe away residue with a tissue ( :huh:
).
Now take the gaiter and with some wire cutters snip the cable tie that holds the gaiter to the plastic clip and then remove the plastic clip
Now the tricky bit. Take the little metal ring spacer/washer thing (you might want to give this a shiny rub down with the Brasso too) and wrap the end of the gaiter around the thinner part, trying to get even folds on either side as you look down at it. Then cable tie it firmly in place. This took me about 4 attempts to get right, so be prepared to lose a few cable ties.
Once in place you can tweak the fitment slightly should it not look completely even and right
Now put the gaiter trim all back in to place and it should start to make sense
Now put a drop of Thread-Lock in the new gear nob to stop it working loose over time with vibrations and temperature changes.
Then screw your new gear knob in place and bask in the Type-R goodness.
I already had the Cable Ties, Brasso and Thread Lock so the total cost was under £30. On very close inspection you can maybe tell it's not an official gear knob and gaiter trim, but at a glance it's quite stylish and it certainly feels nicer to drive with.
Also, not sure if it was made this way, but when fully screwed up as tight as it would go, the gear numbers lined up correctly. Maybe this was made this way, maybe I got lucky. If yours doesn't line up, you'll need a low profile M10 nut to use as a locking/adjusting nut ensuring your knob is lined up properly.
If you have a go at this one, please post your pictures.
