Shifter Knob/Stick loose. What would you do?

Kugellager · **Posted:** Mon May 15, 2006 6:17 pm

When I was in Estes Park last week I noticed that shifting into 2,4,6 or Rev the shifter knob was hitting the center console right before the power window switches. I then noticed I was able to twist the shift stick back and forth. I snapped off the 'leather' boot to find that the problem was that the rubber bushing that the shift knob/stick was attached to by friction alone had loosened up. It actually looks like the cup on the knob/stick that fits over the rubber bushing on the shaft was just glued on. When I rotate the shifter stick to the proper place the angle it makes prevents if from bumping the center console and returns it to the original position.

The question is...I took it to where I bought it (John Elway Jeep in Lakewood) and the first thing that comes out of the service manages mouth was "Oh man you broke the shaft to the transmission...you been 4-wheeling this? (DUH!...I have yet to wash the mud off from last week!)...did you change the angle of the transfer case?" I said "it has nothing to do with any of that...there is nothing wrong with the transmission...it's just a loose knob and that I thought that the glue had come loose". I even snapped off the boot in like 2 seconds and showed him the probem. He said to bring it back tomorrow before 9AM. I think he just told me that because he thinks I won't come back.

Would you bring it back or just use some JB weld to re-glue it to the rubber bushing? I'm nearly 100% that JB would fix the problem but I also don't like the idea of them not fixing it based on principle. At the same time I don't want them screwing with my Tranny or transfer case to 'fix' the problem and really screw something up.

If the first thought in his head was that I broke the tranny instead of the knob just being loose...It tells me they have little basic understanding at how the stick shifter knob is attached to the manual transmission shifter shaft. I mean...I took me only 2 minutes to find the problem...I certainly don't want them mucking around with my transfer case or transmission for a loose knob...But at the same time I want whats due if there is a vehicle defect...which IMO is what this is.

John
];')

uvalax236 · **Posted:** Mon May 15, 2006 7:45 pm

Try another dealership. I would not trust a dealership if they were to tell me that stuff.

Myke · **Posted:** Mon May 15, 2006 8:04 pm

uvalax236 wrote:

Try another dealership. I would not trust a dealership if they were to tell me that stuff.

+1

Kugellager · **Posted:** Mon Jul 24, 2006 7:51 pm

Update...a bit late but I thought I should update the outcome.

I decided to give them a final chance as this was the place I bought my vehicle from.

So, I brought it back the next morning and they kept it for a few hours and called me back. They said they would only have to replace the shifter knob and shaft (no kidding! :roll:

) but the part was not available anywhere in the country. They said they would have to order it and that it would take several weeks to come in.

They did actually call me back a few weeks (about six weeks later) later and said they had the replacement shifter to fix mine. I took it in first thing and they called me back about a hour and a half later saying that it was ready. The original knob/shaft was never so nice and tight. I think it must have been a little loose from the beginning as I never remembered the action of the shifting being so positive and stiff. (no suggestive jokes!)

In addition....the new knob seems to be slightly shorter that the original...maybe 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. Makes the shifting less of a chore.

Anyway...it all ended well and they didn't give me any more crap after that first time...other than rolling eyes when my CB antenna bangs against the sheet metal door in their service garage every time I drove in. LMAO!.

John
];')

Shifter Knob/Stick loose. What would you do?

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