Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax AERO8 Gear Shift

- first proper post and hopefully , a simple question -
how do I remove the huge BMW plastic gear knob from my Series 1 Aero8 ?

Is there e.g. a grub screw or is it threaded or just a 'friction' fit which needs to wrestled off?

I would like to fit something more in keeping with the rest of the interior - i.e. an alloy ball or tapered alloy version.I've read (on here) a little about the 'short shift' conversion;is this necessary to change the gear knob or just an additional 'improvement'? Who makes/sells the short shift kit?

Finally any recommendations for a suitable replacement knob known to fit please...

Many thanks

JBW, I have no idea why the mod is called "short shift" since it's just a gear knob change. Mine's had an alloy one since I bought it; name on know is Richbrook. Looking at the parts book it appears to be a thread shaft, but I can't confirm that from experience.

Cheers

- thanks Philippo.

Which parts book are you referring too and is it available e.g. to buy or on-line?

Many thanks

It's more than a knob change.....

Hi Cerealsurfer - can you elaborate a little please....

Had the standard knob changed on my S3 when I bought the car. The Aero America (with the silly side covers and one or two other minor changes) came with a nice metallic knob and that was fitted in place of the standard one on my car although the dealer did say it was quite a lot harder to do than they had thought.

Pretty sure the S1 gearbox is different though so although the standard gear knobs look similar they may not be underneath...

Much prefer the metal knob though - much classier than the standard very dated BMW knob!

It is a different box on the mk1 a gertrag they all also suffer with the driveline shunt so dont be alarmed.To fit a short shift requires a kit you have to take off the shroud and access the top of the gearbox.For shorter gear action saw about an inch and half off the gear lever re tap the thread or fit a le mans style gear knob,Richbrook do one as previously mentioned at about the third of the price from morgan.THE big knob wont come off in a hurry and will require sawing off best way from the top down either side of the lever, stick a bit of towel around your alloy ring surround just in case of misshaps simples....

Mike

- spoke to Morgan ;actually passed on to the guy who runs the shop for them.The one they sell is fairly generic and fixes with 3 grub screws which are then hidden under an alloy collar.
This would be fine - but still no info. on how you remove the original;help !!

Read Above.......

- thanks aerotaff; just the info. I was after.
I'm not too fussed about converting to a short shift yet,just wanting a more appropriate gear knob.Looks like a little surgery is called for....!