automatic shift knob

[akessel]

How does the little bakelite shift knob on the automatic come off?

Thanks andy

[waqas]

Don't know about the automatic, but my manual shift knob simply unscrews off.
(are you good at opening stuck jar lids? that's what it takes on mine...)

[merrill]

on my 66 230 sl it just pops off.

I used an adjustable pliers to get around the shaft then just pulled up and the knob poped off.

putting it back on is just put the knob on the shaft and pop it back on.

[rwmastel]

I have not done it, but I have been told it is like Merrill says.  To prevent scratching of the chrome shift lever, put a cloth around it.  You may need to hammer up against the pliers.

[Rolf]

I used a pair of channel locks which I set so they would close just short of grabbing the shaft. I wrapped a small towel around them and hit them up with a small hammer. If you plan on putting it back on, make sure you hit it straight up as to not crack it. Putting it on was a little tougher. I folded a towel to use as a buffer so as not to damage the new knob. I tapped it on using a small rubber mallet, again making sure it went on straight.

[akessel]

Thank you guys, pop'd off just fine.
Hard as heck replacing the platic insert in the chrome shift cover though.
yeesh.

[psmith]

I replaced my shifter guide a few months ago and struggled to remove the ball.  The channel locks didn't work for me, but a small brass tack hammer did.  

The shifter guide was a real pain to install, the slots didn't line up with the tabs in the metal housing.  I ended up expanding the slots with a razor blade to get it to fit.  A lot of work, but a very nice improvement.