DIY Weighted Shift Knob using Tungsten Beads

**RockJGC** · 08-05-2019 11:28 AM

A big thanks to Old Guy for coming up with this idea in the first place. You can find his thread here:

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...weighted+shift

Instead of lead, I decided to use small Tungsten beads to add weight to my OEM shift knob and the results were great. Tungsten is almost twice as dense as lead (1.74 times more), so you get quite a lot of weight to fill in the small voids inside the shift knob. Like Old Guy, I also used a bit of Elmer's Glue to keep the beads from rattling around inside the knob. I was able to add 4.3 oz (122 grams) of Tungsten to the inside of my shift knob and that made a noticeable different in the shift feel. It definitely feels more solid and has a more positive engagement when shifting from gear to gear. The difference is subtle, but definitely noticeable. It's a great cheap mod that takes just a few minutes. My biggest challenge was getting the top off the shift knob, mostly because my fingernails are too short. I even tried a plastic trim removal too, but I couldn't get that in there either, so I ended up using a pocket knife to slide in there and pop it off. I wish I would have done this mod sooner!

TBR.jpg ASA.jpg ASB.jpg TAT.jpg

**old guy** · 08-05-2019 12:26 PM

Nice!

You're making me want to go dig out my lead shot and replaced it with Tungsten beads!

Here's the next thing to help improve the shifting feel: Clicky click®

**RockJGC** · 08-06-2019 05:25 AM

Originally Posted by old guy

Nice!

You're making me want to go dig out my lead shot and replaced it with Tungsten beads!

Here's the next thing to help improve the shifting feel: Clicky click®

Let me know if you want to do that....I have lots of Tungsten left over.

I reviewed your thread again, but I couldn't determine how much weight you were able to add with the lead. I could only find the total weight of your knob after you added the lead. Do you have any idea how much lead you added? Just curious....

**old guy** · 08-06-2019 06:01 AM

I was able to add 100 grams of lead. If you use some scotch tape you can keep the area open for the coin attachment and pack in a few more beads.

**RockJGC** · 08-06-2019 07:53 AM

Yeah, I didn't go up as high. I basically stopped even with the circular piece of plastic inside the shift knob housing. Maybe I'll open it up and add some more.

**aschmi07** · 10-23-2019 04:50 AM

Originally Posted by RockJGC

Yeah, I didn't go up as high. I basically stopped even with the circular piece of plastic inside the shift knob housing. Maybe I'll open it up and add some more.

Where did you get the tungsten? Only see bigger fishing lure beads on amazon. thx

**RockJGC** · 10-23-2019 05:30 AM

Originally Posted by aschmi07

Where did you get the tungsten? Only see bigger fishing lure beads on amazon. thx

Found it locally at a metal supply house. If you need some, I can send some to you. I have quite a bit left over.

**theLuiS4** · 10-24-2019 09:51 AM

How many do you have left RockJGC? I'll take them. Lol. I'm mind blown rn. This is awesome! Tbh not only are the aftermarket knobs ridiculously priced, they're mostly a bit fugly. The OEM is my favorite. So to be able to do this? Win-win