How can I keep the shift knob from coming off?

[RangerX]

The shift knobs in both my trucks (93 Ranger 5-speed and 90 F250 5-speed) have come loose, and I'm wondering what to use to keep it attached. I'm not sure if I want to glue it permanently, although I can't think of any reason not to, except if I ever want or need to put on a new shift boot.

Anyone know what the factory uses?

The Ranger stays on fairly well, but will come off under hard shifting. The F250, which I drive daily, comes off every time I shift into second.

I realize this barely qualifies to be in the Trans forum, but...

 

[Turdle]

You mean you don't already have little tiki handles?

 

[FROADER]

I would just permanently glue them since your wife is a master seamstress. If you were to ever need a new shift boot, she could make you one and sew it right on the lever.

That's if you don't get a stock rubber one..

 

[zukman]

you might try wrapping either electrical tape or duct tape around the shaft to take up space. Not permanent but should keep it in place

 

[dman726749]

you might try wrapping either electrical tape or duct tape around the shaft to take up space. Not permanent but should keep it in place

exactely what i did with my t-case handle...it would rattle and buzz...wrapped some electrical tape around the shaft, jammed the handle back on...all is good now

 

[Turdle]

Heat shrink tube on the lever-heat it up to tighten it on.
apply glue to outside of heat shrink-force knob on over that-

 

[Tbars4]

i always used liquid nails...the blue one for construction...99cents at home depot but you need a caulking gun...

 

[Glacier991]

And as a last ditch.... drill the cyclolac knob and add a set screw... remember now! no hard tightening.... instead, find out where it hits the splines and drill there also.... without much tightening (and maybe some glue to lock the setscrew) you should be good to go. The setscrew and the drilled hole should keep the knob nicely in place.

ps. Never let it be said the transmission forum is not about ALL things shifty!

 

[FROADER]

ps. Never let it be said the transmission forum is not about ALL things shifty!

Uh oh Galcier, that was almost JDraper quality right there... :

 

[Glacier991]

I won't tell if you won't.

 

[Glen4X4]

I used electrical tape on my ZX2 shifter when i installed an after market shifter just to keep it tight or another thing you could do that wouldnt make it permanent but should keep it on there good, I know ya'll may think this wierd or something but you could use regular (GE) Brand Window and Door Silicone caulking and let it dry for around 2 hours and it should hold on great, that stuff works good on about anything.

 

[Stic-o]

You can gorilla glue like the last a-hole did to my B2 Had to cut it off with a sawzall

I bought one from pepboys, and did't like it (still rolling around in the truck) and then I found one I love at the JY. It uses allen's as set screws.

Or you could just get one of these

http://www.flameball.com/HomePage.htm


hmmm.. maybe I should get one for my t-case

Also I have the shift boot from the B2 in pefect shape if you want it. I changed out mine for one out of a 90's ranger with the cup holders

 

[Turdle]

^^^^^^^^^awesome!!

I really like this--

 

[dogfriend]

My Ranger shift knob used to come off too, it must be a Ford thing.

I vote JB Weld.

 

[RangerX]

You mean you don't already have little tiki handles?

LOL

I've tried duct tape (too slick)and teflon tape (too thin). I'll try electrical tape, and I like the silicone idea. glacier, the set screw idea is just too much work! (but the best suggestion)

 

[BryanB]

My Ranger shift knob used to come off too, it must be a Ford thing.

I vote JB Weld.

Yep...I had the same problem. I used a bunch of JB Weld.

The real solution however, is to relocate the entire shifter....to the local landfill and replace it with a HURST.

 

[410Fortune]

toothpick
its all you need

Hot glue is good in case you ever want to get it off again

 

[tdavis]

Be careful with the tape - too much will cause the knob to crack, and then you either glue or replace the knob.

On the Navajo, I did the electrical tape trick - it worked for a while.. On the Superduty, I picked up a new knob from Ford for it, the old knob had cracked and split..

 

[dogfriend]

Epoxy!

JB Weld is two part epoxy with steel filler material mixed in. Strong stuff.

 

[dogfriend]

Um all epoxy is 2 part!

Nope, we use several types at work that are premixed and frozen. Its very common in the electronics industry to use one part epoxies to avoid mistakes in mixing.

Most over the counter epoxies are two part so they don't have to be refrigerated or frozen for storage.

Back to the topic, my Ranger knob dryed out in the summer heat and started to crack from the bottom edge. It used to come off at the most inopportune moments, so that's why I recommend JB Weld and be done with it once and for all. If you ever want it off again, a sawsall and/or a belt sander should work. :