[evospider]

Has anyone removed the automatic shift knob? I can't seem to figure out the trick.

 

[ameridan]

Perhaps this will help:

2016 - MX-5 - Transmission/Transaxle (should be similar)

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT KNOB REMOVAL

1. Engage parking brake.
2. Perform the following procedure to remove the selector lever knob.
a. Shift the selector lever to the N range.
b. Insert the tool (width: 2 mm {0.08 in} or less, thickness: 1 mm {0.04 in} or less) on the rear side, as shown in the figure.
c. Lift the tool horizontally in the direction of arrow (1) shown in the figure and detach the tab, and then remove the lock release button cover in the direction of arrow (2).
d. Remove the spring.
e. Remove the selector lever knob.

 

[evospider]

Thank you very much (I just couldn't see the spring)!

 

[Y2HBK]

So not to bring up an old thread but...

Has anyone else tried this? I see nowhere on the back on my shift knob to insert any sort of tool. When I go to some 3rd party reseller sites their direction are incredibly helpful: "Step 1, remove your shift knob."

 

[SteveWy]

Can these instructions be archived on the site somewhere to be easily found?

 

[Y2HBK]

Can these instructions be archived on the site somewhere to be easily found?

Have you tried this with success?

 

[ameridan]

I'll do a page for it on my blog, although my articles aren't in any particular order either

evospider, can you add a photo or some details as to what you replaced the knob with? I'm assuming that is why you wanted to remove the OEM knob.

 

[Y2HBK]

I actually want to leave the OEM knob, but need to remove it to replace the shift boot and ebrake boot with alcantara ones.

 

[JFernald]

Has anyone removed the automatic shift knob? I can't seem to figure out the trick.

This is from the Spider service manual:

GEARSHIFT KNOB

1.Dislodge the trim (1) on gear lever grip.

2.Work on the retaining clip (2), then remove the gear lever grip.

1.Place the gear lever in its housing and engage the retaining clip (1).

2.Fit the trim on the gear lever grip (2).

(I realize this is pretty sketchy, but this is what you get.)

 

[Y2HBK]

This is from the Spider service manual:

GEARSHIFT KNOB

1.Dislodge the trim (1) on gear lever grip.

2.Work on the retaining clip (2), then remove the gear lever grip.

1.Place the gear lever in its housing and engage the retaining clip (1).

2.Fit the trim on the gear lever grip (2).

(I realize this is pretty sketchy, but this is what you get.)

Thanks for this. That's way different than what was mentioned earlier in the post. I'll give it a shot.

EDIT: I was able to get the knob off after seeing this diagram. It was a breeze to replace the boot from there. Now the ebrake boot on the other hand, that sucked pretty bad. But they look so much better.

Thanks again.

 

[rglass]

Didn't want to start a new thread for this...but was thinking about swapping my auto's shift knob to the ND miata auto shift knob (part no. N24746030). No reason this shouldn't work right?

Right now, I can just pull up on the knob to remove it (while in neutral). Does anyone know if the ND shift knob behaves differently?

 

[RAWFIAT]

Didn't want to start a new thread for this...but was thinking about swapping my auto's shift knob to the ND miata auto shift knob (part no. N24746030). No reason this shouldn't work right?

Right now, I can just pull up on the knob to remove it (while in neutral). Does anyone know if the ND shift knob behaves differently?

Not sure but looking at the mazda unit, I would say no since there is no way to put the retaining clip back in. Also if you have taken yours off you will see the white plastic rod. That has to be oriented correctly with the shift knob in order to make it work properly. Does not look like the mazda unit would do that.

 

[ameridan]

This is from the Spider service manual:

GEARSHIFT KNOB

1.Dislodge the trim (1) on gear lever grip.

2.Work on the retaining clip (2), then remove the gear lever grip.

1.Place the gear lever in its housing and engage the retaining clip (1).

2.Fit the trim on the gear lever grip (2).

(I realize this is pretty sketchy, but this is what you get.)

Thanks for sharing this. I hadn't seen your post before, but I'm going to substitute your illustration to my article Removing the (Automatic) shift knob, so that it is helpful for others in the future.

 

[CXXIV]

I don't have any direct experience with the Mazda part, either, but with everything else about the selector being Mazda I'd be astonished if their knob wouldn't work. At worst you might need to add a set screw to keep it in place. A universal-fit knob works fine so there's nothing too unusual about the selector lever design.

Right now, I can just pull up on the knob to remove it (while in neutral). Does anyone know if the ND shift knob behaves differently?

This doesn't sound right, like the retaining hardware is already missing/damaged/out of position.

I'd encourage you to go ahead and try it--that Mazda one looks like a good match for the interior.