Shifter boot removal

[Mikes4C1300]

I embarrassed to say I don't know how to get the boots off this shift rod. I've banged and twisted on the shifter itself and it doesn't seem to want to come apart. Do the boots simply stretch over one or the other end? They seem way to tight for that and will likely rip. The reason for all this is to swap shift rods -- the old one (shown here) rattles furiously in third and fifth gear. Aiutarlo, per favore.

Mike Hollinger
Atlanta

[othercarsaford]

Mike,

If your 101 shifter is anything like my 105 shifter (except mine does not have the gated reverse), then the shift knob should pull off the end of the shaft. It is held on there by a rubber grommet inside the knob that fits over a notch in the shift lever shaft. If you pull and twist, it should eventually work its way off. Then, the boots should slide off the end of the shaft. I thought about squirting some PB Blaster or other lube up in there to help move things along, but mine came off before I got to that point. I thought I was about to break something before my shift knob came off, however, so keep at it.

Thomas

[Stan Murray]

Nope that looks like a screw on and off knob. I stuck the shift lever in a vice using a thick piece of rubber in the jaws. Then used penitrating oil and
a little heat on the shaft ...Hair dryer...and then a Strap Wrench.

It finally let go.
Those knobs are getting rare. Be careful not to scratch your shifter.
I don't think the rattle is the knob but is a missing leather washer in the shaft
below the knob.

Good luck!
Stan

[Mikes4C1300]

Thomas, Stan,

Thanks for the replies. I chucked the shifter in a vise and the knob screwed right off. Boots liberated. I tried the same trick with the replacement shifter I found on eBay and no joy. These two look exactly alike but is it possible one is a screw thread and another is a press fit? I have no idea what type of car the replacement came from but given it had some rust on the chrome shaft it might very likely have been a spider. I've given it a shot of PBlaster. I'm working on my '67 105, btw.

Mike

[Stan Murray]

Try the Heat idea. Just don't get the knob too hot that it bubbles.
It is pretty durable though. I think any kind of heat would work, but I good luck with a hair dryer. I cut my old knob with a drummel and inside there is a huge sleeved nut that is surrounded by the plastic. It took me a while to find another knob. None of the suppliers seem to have them except:http://www.classicalfa.com/ who makes a reproduction.
Take care!
Stan
Columbus, GA

[Mikes4C1300]

Yup, that got 'er done. Along with a few whacks from a mallet, PBlaster, and ultimately a pipe wrench (no noticable scars, either!). It's good to know they designed the knob to be tighter than the flywheel on a blown Chrysler.

Thanks again,

Mike

[Andrew]

Shifters through 1600 screw on. 1750, 2000, and Alfetta push on with a rubber bung that fits over a machined collar in the top of the shifter.

Andrew