How to Remove the Gear Knob of an 08 Buick Excelle?
3 Answers
First, turn off the engine and park the vehicle, then apply the parking brake manually. Shift the gear to neutral (N position). Some gear knobs are exposed, while others are wrapped in leather or fabric. If the gear knob is wrapped, carefully remove the leather or fabric layer without using excessive force to avoid damage. Generally, the gear knob can be unscrewed counterclockwise. Remove the old gear knob and screw the new one on clockwise.
I've taken apart the shift knob on an '08 Buick Excelle before, and it's a step-by-step process. First, turn off the engine and engage the handbrake to prevent the gearshift from moving. Underneath the shift knob, there's a rubber boot—use your fingernail to pry the edge and flip it downward to reveal the retaining ring. Gently pry open the metal clip with a flathead screwdriver, being careful not to scratch the plastic parts. Then, grip the shift knob with both hands and twist it counterclockwise; the Excelle typically has a threaded design, so once loosened, you can pull it out. If it's too slippery to turn, wrap a towel around it for better grip and try again. When reinstalling, make sure to align the threads and tighten clockwise, then flip the rubber boot back into place. The whole process doesn't require special tools and takes about ten minutes. After removal, cleaning out any accumulated dust inside can make shifting smoother.
The gear shift knob of my old Buick Excelle cracked recently, so I replaced it myself. When disassembling, I noticed the car's design is quite user-friendly, unlike German cars that require panel removal. First, push down the metal ring at the edge of the dust cover to expose the threaded structure inside. Then, hold the base of the shift lever with your left hand and firmly grip the shift knob with your right hand, turning it counterclockwise. Be careful not to use excessive force, as the plastic on older cars is brittle. Once loosened, pull it straight up. If it gets stuck, don't panic—spray some WD-40 to lubricate the threads and try again. After removal, inspect the internal slot for wear; replace the shift knob if there are cracks, as OEM parts cost around a hundred yuan. Before installing the new shift knob, clean the dust off the top of the shift lever. Align the threads and screw it clockwise until natural resistance is felt. Over-tightening can damage the threads.
