EDU: Replace B8 A4 Auto Shift Knob

[Chemicalviper]

First off I am writing this EDU because as soon as I saw others upgrading their shift knobs I looked up how to do it. Ended up getting a lot of misinformation like taking apart the console or being time heavy. I only found the way to do it like shown by finding it on the 2nd or 3rd page of the same question being asked.

I am sure I am going to get flamed but it wasn't easy to find directions and I am sure it's obvious to a lot of people but mechanically retarded people like me might need assistance.

1. Use an official Audi trim removal tool like this kitchen batter tool and stick it between your current boot and plastic surround. Pry from left and right sides.


2. Flip the boot inside out and break this metal clip at boot/rod; found it easiest to jam a flathead in the opening and pry


3. Pull the knob button out wards and place a zip tie between the knob and button. These are official zip ties keep in mind.


4. Grab the knob and boot at mid point and lift straight up.

5. Place new knob w/ boot over the shift rod and tap it downwards as far down as possible. When its completely sunk pull the clip separating button and knob.

All done!

[AudIIan]

Def a good looking knob for automatic standerd..love the aluminum and perforation but i stil think the s tronic style knobs would have looked even better

[jlaudio]

Def a good looking knob for automatic standerd..love the aluminum and perforation but i stil think the s tronic style knobs would have looked even better

i don't know man, half the reason i bought this shifter is looks and the other half is how it sits in your hand
it feels proper

[Chemicalviper]

i don't know man, half the reason i bought this shifter is looks and the other half is how it sits in your hand
it feels proper

Same reason here

[Boulderrider]

Same reason here

I have a NIB LHD facelift B8.5 Auto shift Knob with black leather stitching for sale. Turns out the wife wanted Titan Grey stitching, so I now have 2. PM me if interested.

I'll beat any advertised forum price for the same new item.

[Chemicalviper]

I have a NIB LHD facelift B8.5 Auto shift Knob with black leather stitching for sale. Turns out the wife wanted Titan Grey stitching, so I now have 2. PM me if interested.

I'll beat any advertised forum price for the same new item.

Wish I knew a few days ago. Got mine from Alex on europrice - had 1 left from group buy

GL with the sale my friend

[MiracleWhips]

You should really consider replacing the one time use OEM metal strap holding the knob to the boot with something like a small metal hose clamp, or at least a zip tie. I would have it reassembled with it. That OEM metal clamp was installed there far a reason.

[Chemicalviper]

You should really consider replacing the one time use OEM metal strap holding the knob to the boot with something like a small metal hose clamp, or at least a zip tie. I would have it reassembled with it. That OEM metal clamp was installed there far a reason.

To do what? Hold the collar from shifting upwards

[jfo]

The new knob has a locking collar which is turned to lock in place. The OP forgot to include this. The clamp is no longer needed.

[Chemicalviper]

The new knob has a locking collar which is turned to lock in place. The OP forgot to include this. The clamp is no longer needed.

Thanks - didn't know this. Ill have to check if locked it by accident

[MiracleWhips]

To do what? Hold the collar from shifting upwards

To hold the boot and knob more securely to the shifter stock. Otherwise, there is nothing else really securely holding it in place. I don't think the OEM metal strap was installed just to keep the collar from holding the boot onto the knob.

Another useful tip if you need to remove the knob from the boot is to use a zip tie to evenly squeeze the end shaft of the knob togehr so you can slip the collar right off.

I used the smallest one of these from the plumbing dept. at OSH. It is a $0.79 insurance policy.

[theedge111]

I have a NIB LHD facelift B8.5 Auto shift Knob with black leather stitching for sale. Turns out the wife wanted Titan Grey stitching, so I now have 2. PM me if interested.

I'll beat any advertised forum price for the same new item.

PM sent!

[osideaudi]

I really wished I hadnt use a screwdriver to pry mine off :( luckily it did minimum damage

[jlaudio]

I really wished I hadnt use a screwdriver to pry mine off :( luckily it did minimum damage

i used a screwdriver and microfiber towel, but it still lifted a extremely small portion of the silver surround up. i am going to take it apart again and glue it down.
one of those things that only i notice but it bugs the hell out of me

[name.goes.here]

i used a screwdriver and microfiber towel, but it still lifted a extremely small portion of the silver surround up. i am going to take it apart again and glue it down.
one of those things that only i notice but it bugs the hell out of me

I was able to remove the boot with my fingers - wasn't difficult at all to do so.

[rayray]

i don't know man, half the reason i bought this shifter is looks and the other half is how it sits in your hand
it feels proper

Same. Was going to do this in my A4, but I traded it in and still ended up doing it on my A6.

[jlaudio]

I was able to remove the boot with my fingers - wasn't difficult at all to do so.

mine felt like it was glued in there the first time i took it out. 2nd time it popped out with no problem at all.

[John@Roc-Euro]

I enjoy the spatula usage.

[AudIIan]

Ya i cant argue with that it looks extremely comfortable..i just went with the s tronic because i wanted something that looked the least bit automatic..i may even try and see if i can figure out how to remove the gear indicator piece and just fit a manual boot to it soon..but urs im sure is alot more comfortable for sure

Looks good tho

[Ajp428]

Chemicalviper whered you get the knob from?

[knucklehaedjcz]

Ya i cant argue with that it looks extremely comfortable..i just went with the s tronic because i wanted something that looked the least bit automatic..i may even try and see if i can figure out how to remove the gear indicator piece and just fit a manual boot to it soon..but urs im sure is alot more comfortable for sure

Looks good tho

I thought about doing that also (I have the Stronic knob as well). Someone did put a manual boot on an auto, it might be in one of the Stronic knob swap threads - there is like a 9 page threadm & i think it might be in there.

[knucklehaedjcz]

Here are the photos of the manual boot w/Stronic knob:

[Lordofthebuds]

i missed the group buy, anybody know where i can get one?

[dropshadow]

i missed the group buy, anybody know where i can get one?

PM Alex @ Europrice and he can help. It'll just cost a little bit more than the group buy.

[bhvrdr]

i missed the group buy, anybody know where i can get one?

They are $125 shipped on German Ebay all day long. I just got mine last week for that price. Use google translate. Works like a charm.

cheers! mike

[khor8040]

Hi guys, I am new here.
Does the "S-Tronic" fit into our current (stock) shift knob? Reason being is that I saw a statement says it will only works with Gear Lock at the front not from the side. My current B8 is on the side.

Can someone share with me if it works and if there is any photo instruction how this is done?

Thanks,
Ken

[Slick_B8]

Bump

[1965truckrod]

Chemicalviper, I am very interested in that shift knob but don't know what it is called, and where I might be able to order one from.

Jesse

[keboydjr]

I am not a DIY person. But I used this method and it was fast and extremely easy. I did use a 1/2 inch hose clamp but I don't think it was needed. Thanks for your instructions and the "official" tools you recommended.

[JeriQo]

I am not a DIY person. But I used this method and it was fast and extremely easy. I did use a 1/2 inch hose clamp but I don't think it was needed. Thanks for your instructions and the "official" tools you recommended.

im planning on doin this as well.

this should be stickied on the DIY thread.

theres an S-tronic install DIY but that shit looks complicated.. he used a heat gun to melt the white plastic.. talkin about the one with the cat pics in it.

this ones definitely alot simpler.

[JeriQo]

First off I am writing this EDU because as soon as I saw others upgrading their shift knobs I looked up how to do it. Ended up getting a lot of misinformation like taking apart the console or being time heavy. I only found the way to do it like shown by finding it on the 2nd or 3rd page of the same question being asked.

I am sure I am going to get flamed but it wasn't easy to find directions and I am sure it's obvious to a lot of people but mechanically retarded people like me might need assistance.

1. Use an official Audi trim removal tool like this kitchen batter tool and stick it between your current boot and plastic surround. Pry from left and right sides.


2. Flip the boot inside out and break this metal clip at boot/rod; found it easiest to jam a flathead in the opening and pry


3. Pull the knob button out wards and place a zip tie between the knob and button. These are official zip ties keep in mind.


4. Grab the knob and boot at mid point and lift straight up.

5. Place new knob w/ boot over the shift rod and tap it downwards as far down as possible. When its completely sunk pull the clip separating button and knob.

All done!

breaking the stock ring is unnecessary

https://youtu.be/UQSEL_DxoPI

[Lambda13]

Added to the DIY sticky thread.

[Chemicalviper]

Hey what you know after all these years this still holds up

[AllaudiGone]

Hey what you know after all these years this still holds up

It does, can confirm, just followed this/the YouTube video.



Took your advice and used OEM Audi tools..





One note, I personally had to wiggle the clasp loose a bit, made it much easier. Flathead/pliers work.









Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

[JeriQo]

It does, can confirm, just followed this/the YouTube video.



Took your advice and used OEM Audi tools..





One note, I personally had to wiggle the clasp loose a bit, made it much easier. Flathead/pliers work.









Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

is that the chinese ebay knob or oem?

[AllaudiGone]

is that the chinese ebay knob or oem?

It's the Chinese one. I got a really good deal on eBay, and my budget is tighter since I'm back in school, will ultimately upgrade to the perforated OEM one when I get the chance.

Works great for now IMO, still like it better than stock

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

[JeriQo]

It's the Chinese one. I got a really good deal on eBay, and my budget is tighter since I'm back in school, will ultimately upgrade to the perforated OEM one when I get the chance.

Works great for now IMO, still like it better than stock

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

thats good to know its a perfect fit!

yea ive been looking into this since its only 50 bucks.. i cant do the oem $200 perforated at the moment. itd match my full perf fbsw but the price is a bit much.

ill be gettin this soon. does it feel oem?

[AllaudiGone]

Feels just like the stock one I swapped out. If you had the stock knob I had, it sits a bit lower, but def feels good in the hand/resting the wrist when driving to control the radio

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

[JeriQo]

Feels just like the stock one I swapped out. If you had the stock knob I had, it sits a bit lower, but def feels good in the hand/resting the wrist when driving to control the radio

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

mind pming me or pasting the link here? thanks!

[barker1964]

Did mine today . Took all of 4 minutes