remove gearstick?

[ianwayne]

My gearstick is somehow 180 degrees out so that the gearshift indicator pattern is upside down.
It wasn't a problem initially but it is now getting on my wick!
However, I can't seem to twist or even budge the top of the gearstick. Is there a trick?
I don't just want to take a big pair of molegrips to it 'cos it'll probably just chew up the aluminium.
Is the round 'head' of the gearstick seperate or does the top and the shaft attached to it come off in 1 piece?

[Steve _T]

The ball on the top screws off, or at least mine does. Mine turned through 180 degrees too, but it doesn't bother me, so I've left it. I'll fix it eventually with a suitable washer. Suggest that you warm it gently with a hair dryer or similar to get the ball to expand and hence loosen its grip on the thread.

Cheers,

Steve
(and Yellow 5L Chimaera)

Edited by Steve _T on Friday 18th January 18:31

Edited by Steve _T on Friday 18th January 18:32

[zippy500]

There will be a lock nut below it, release this one first. I used a piece of cloth to protect it and my pliers.

[chuckh]

ian some early chims dont have a locknut more like a threaded sleve a good way to remove the ball is to use an oil filter strap of the webbing variety this will not mark the ally if your carefull ally seems to bond itself to the steel lever shaft over time .good luck!!

[MajorClanger]

Have you tried it with rubber gloves on!!!! Nothing kinky honest but is a method that Leven Technology advocate to get a better grip!

Might be worth trying a little WD40 or similar if you can avoid spraying it everywhere. Leave it for a couple of hours to soak up in to the thread wiping off any excess.

Good luck

MC

[atg]

Is there a standard thread size for gear knobs? The finish on mine has largely worn off so I'm thinking of replacing it.