Gearshift knob came off..

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Mar 16, 2009 | 10:59 AM

#11

CWS530

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From: St. Louis Burbs, USA

My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Coversï¿½ from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).

In my case, I wasn't driving aggressively at all. I'd just gotten my e46 and was shifting into second from a suburban stop sign and the next thing I know my arm is on the console and the shift knob is in my hand as I looked down in horror at the bare metal rod sticking up. The car was about two weeks old. I thought it would have threads, but no. Just little pressure tabs. They weren't even broken, just loose. Poor design IMHO.

Mar 16, 2009 | 12:13 PM

#12

porsche911targa

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My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny. 2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter. Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aviator' post='817757' date='Mar 15 2009, 10:24 PM

I had a wild hair up the rear and the shift knob came off. I was able to put it back on, but it comes off easy when I try to pull it. Is there a trick?

At the beginning of the snow season, I broke my favorite snow showel, right at the neck where the wooden handle goes into. You can imagine the amount of stress that little area takes. Anyway, I jammed the hole full of "Liquid Nails" and stuck the wooden handle there. I let it dry overnight before using it and have used the showel all winter long. So far it has held up well including when lifting very heavy, wet snow. You might want to try Liquid Nails and see if it woks. I really think it will.

Mar 16, 2009 | 01:10 PM

#13

Ricracing

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From: Helsinki, Finland

My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aviator' post='817757' date='Mar 16 2009, 04:24 AM

I had a wild hair up the rear and the shift knob came off. I was able to put it back on, but it comes off easy when I try to pull it. Is there a trick?

At least on the older BMW's it was just a matter of twisting it back.

Been driving so many auto drives now...

Mar 16, 2009 | 01:34 PM

#14

aznunknownx

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From: South San Francisco

man that must be some hardcore gear shifting you did...

is there any screws attached to it? it might need some re-tightening

Mar 17, 2009 | 03:55 AM

#15

mja

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From: UK

My Ride: Had: 530D 170kW Black 6MT

Quote:

Originally Posted by brabusw209amg' post='817948' date='Mar 16 2009, 07:10 AM

last time i pulled it out i smashed it on my chin and my gums were bleeding.

I hit my forehead...
Anyway, at least if it's manual, it's damn tight and difficult to get out. It must be pulled straight, without twisting or rotating (that's how the BMW instructions say). Likewise it goes back just by pressing it _really_ hard (straight, _no_ twisting).