Gear knobs - BMW Forum

M3dina · 09-16-2009, 12:40 AM

One of the first mods i like to do is get a new gear knob. If short enough, and countersunk, it will give obviously a shorter throw without getting a short shift kit (which i would eventually like to do). My question is, which knobs out there are the shortest in height, smallest, and countersunk? If you could give some pics of yours, I'd greatly appreciate it. I was looking around and found this one (if you'll scroll down a bit after clicking the link):
u n d e r s t e e r . c o m

Is the UUC RK6A one of the better ones? I really like the look/feel of a more cylinder shaped knob, rather than the ball design like the UUC.

Thanks,
Chris

drz · 09-16-2009, 12:51 AM

Won't really give you a shorter throw. I recommend that you spend the same money to buy the budget short shift kit also from understeer. You'll actually get a noticeable reduction in throw, instead of paying the same money for a placebo: u n d e r s t e e r . c o m

carguy13 · 09-16-2009, 05:41 AM

oh yeah, for the difference in price i would certainly go with the short shift kit...

i don't think you would be statisfied with just a new shift knob anyway...

a new knob isn't going to sit that much lower.

carguy13 · 09-16-2009, 05:53 AM

actually i think you guys just saved me some money i just read bushing replacement DIY and it was saying that old bushings can make your shifts feel horrible...

i think i'm going to replace my bushings...hmmm....

Torque · 09-16-2009, 07:19 AM

ZHP knob is a little shorter ... I believe.

CanadianWraith · 09-16-2009, 07:39 AM

i just tried to get the RK6A when i ordered a short shift kit with new bushings, but they are on a looooonnnnng back order from UUC so got the RK2A instead. can't wait for the short shift!!

M3dina · 09-16-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drz

Won't really give you a shorter throw. I recommend that you spend the same money to buy the budget short shift kit also from understeer. You'll actually get a noticeable reduction in throw, instead of paying the same money for a placebo: u n d e r s t e e r . c o m

ok i guess i should have said, it can give the "feel" of a shorter throw. but will look into that kit. i just don't like the feel or look of the factory knob.

carguy13-do your shifts feel rough and sort of "clicky" when you're going through gears? for some reason if i don't hit it juuuuuust right, it's hard for me to slip into second and especially first gears.... could it be my bushings?

Torque-i'll look into that knob as well....thanks

CanadianWraith-hopefully your stuff comes soon....and you can give your opinions on your new set-up

Thanks fellas,
Chris

CanadianWraith · 09-16-2009, 08:53 AM

def your bushings. there is an option when you order a short shift kit to get new delron bushings so i will be changing these as well. know a few locals that have short shifts and all agree this is the first upgrade they would do again

carguy13 · 09-16-2009, 09:25 AM

yup that's exactly what it feels like...clicky.

M3dina · 09-16-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianWraith

def your bushings. there is an option when you order a short shift kit to get new delron bushings so i will be changing these as well. know a few locals that have short shifts and all agree this is the first upgrade they would do again

how hard is it to install a set of bushings? most likely, i'll just take it to a dealership to have them installed. should i just buy a set of factory bushings or a set that will compliment a short shift kit down the road......what should i expect to pay?

carguy13-not that i'm glad....but i'm glad i know what it is from somebody else having the same issue

thanks again,
chris

drz · 09-16-2009, 03:24 PM

It's a piece of cake job. DIY.

carguy13 · 09-16-2009, 03:30 PM

M3dina-

on that pelican site there is a DIY instruction that shows you how to replace all the bushings. DRZ is right it doesn't sound too hard, I was going to try to do it sometime...

I just have to break this damn language barrier between me and the Germans.
After that car work will be a piece of cake.

M3dina · 09-16-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drz

It's a piece of cake job. DIY.

ok thanks. looks like i'll be doing it this weekend

now.....should i go with factory bushings or something aftermarket to go with a short shift kit down the road? i really don't want to waste too much time waiting for a set of aftermarket ones to come in if i don't have to so this doesn't get any worse.

thanks again for your help fellas,
chris

M3dina · 09-16-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carguy13

M3dina-

on that pelican site there is a DIY instruction that shows you how to replace all the bushings. DRZ is right it doesn't sound too hard, I was going to try to do it sometime...

I just have to break this damn language barrier between me and the Germans.
After that car work will be a piece of cake.

ummm....which pelican site are you talking about?

good luck with that language barrier....german seems like such a tough language to learn.....

carguy13 · 09-16-2009, 05:01 PM

oh man, sorry. i was reading something completely different when i saw the article.

here is a link to it: Pelican Technical Article: Replacing BMW Shift Bushings

it shows you pretty much everything, i love that site.