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REMOVAL OF OEM UNIT. |
STEP 1. |
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The OEM shift knob and boot. |
To remove, shift into
1st or 3rd, then push down into the boot until
you find the edge of the clips. |
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STEP 2. |
STEP 3. |
Lift up gently to pop up
the front clips. |
At this point, you can just lift the trim
ring up over the knob.
* Note - the bronze clip at the base of the
boot. If you have trouble removing the knob in
the next couple steps, you may need to
loosen/cut this clip off |
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STEP 4. |
STEP 5 - PREPARING THE NEW
BOOT. |
Next it's time to remove the whole assembly. I
found that if you use your super human strength
you can usually get it off with no problem.
GRASP FIRMLY!
NOW PULL!!!
CONGRATS! You're half way there!
Take a drink break and pat yourself on the back. |
With VWs, the shift boots are usually attached
to the knob. Depending on your aftermarket
setup, you may need to find a boot solution. In
my case, I actually ordered both a knob and the
boot. I was fortunate enough to have a boot that
was already semi-prepared for install. Your boot
install may vary.
First step is to remove the trim ring off of the
stock shift knob/boot assembly. Turn the whole
thing upside down, and you should be able to see
8 clips holding the boot to the ring.
Here are two of those clips (see above).
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STEP 6. |
THE NEW BOOT. |
Pop those 8 clips and the boot assembly should
slide right out, leaving you with just the trim
ring. |
Here's my new boot.
As you can see, it already has the plastic inner
ring attached to the base of the boot. If
you are installing a new boot that doesn't have
this, you will need to remove the staples from
the stock boot and reuse the stock inner ring. |
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STEP 7. |
STEP 8 - WIRING UP THE
SHIFT KNOB. |
Install the new boot to the stock trim ring. Pay
very close attention to the clips and make sure
they are firmly secured. If you notice, in
between the clips is a tab that the inner ring
must go outside. It took me a couple tries, but
when they snap into place you'll know it. |
Many aftermarket shift knobs are coming with
lights inside to give you an uber-pimp look. The
knob I purchased is such a knob, and thus
requires a power source to make it light up.
The knob- note the wires coming out the bottom. |
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STEP 9. |
STEP 10. |
I'm a big proponent of making things easy, so I
went to the closest illumination source I could
find- the 12V outlet in the "ashtray" just in
front of the shifter.
To access this, you'll need to remove the two
T-20 screws securing the ashtray.
Lift up and Viola! We have exposed wires! |
After removing the Molex
plug from the bottom of the 12V port, I tested
the wires and found my positive and negative.
Mine were grey for +12V (positive) and brown for
ground (negative). However, if you don't test
yours and blow something up, I'm not responsible
K? After testing, I tapped each one and secured
connectors to the pigtails from my new shift
knob.
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STEP 11. |
STEP 12 - ASSEMBLY. |
*Note - depending on
your setup, you may have to thread your pigtails
through your new shift boot. I find this
cumbersome, so I cut off a section from the
supplied wire to tap power which I spliced back
together later. While this is not a required
step, I think it makes handling the new assembly
much easier.
After attaching my power, I tucked the wires
back in and reattached the ashtray assembly with
the T-20 fasteners. Make sure to run your power
leads away from anything that could pinch or
melt the wires. Almost home baby! |
The next step is to put it all back together.
Again, depending on your new set up you might
not need all of the following steps.
Along with my new shift boot, I received a
retaining ring that goes under the boot on the
shaft. This ring is usually secured using a set
screw on the side. This is merely a ring to help
prevent the new shift boot from sliding down and
exposing the ugly factory shaft. Since my knob
has some power leads, the retaining ring has a
provision for the wires. I threaded the wires
though and slid the ring onto the shaft and
*loosely* secured using the appropriate Allen
key.
* If you look at the lower right portion of
the photo, you can see my power pigtail coming
from the ashtray assembly. |
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STEP 13. |
STEP 14. |
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Next step is to position the retaining ring
properly. You may need the assistance of a buddy
to help you, as having a third hand comes in
handy here. Fit your boot assembly onto the
shaft, then place your knob on the shaft to
sandwich the boot to the retaining ring. I then
pushed down on the knob while lifting the
retaining ring as high as it would go. Once I
got it into position, I secured the retaining
ring set screw with an Allen key. |
Don't forget to connect
your power leads and tuck in the wires!
 |
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STEP 15. |
STEP 16. |
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Next, re-secure the
trim ring around the base of the shift boot. I
hooked the side closest to the e-brake, then
just snapped in the top. |
Last step, secure your
new shift knob with the set screws on the side.
Mine used the same Allen key as the boot
retaining ring. Every aftermarket shift knob
I've had has had three of these screws. Make
sure you don't over tighten one of them- try to
do it as evenly as possible. |
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THAT'S IT, COMPLETE! |
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Finished product:
And remember that
uber-pimptastic feature I mentioned earlier...
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VW TECH BY: Edward Wilson
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