My new chrome gear knob finally arrived from Korean Auto Importers
http://www.koreanautoimports.com/store/It wasn't until I received the new knob that I could see how to get the old one off. (By the way, there were no instructions supplied.) None of the previous methods for removing the knob suggested on the forum so far had worked for me.
The first thing I noticed was that there are four lugs on the knob, two that actually lock into recesses in the chrome piece and two that act as guides with no locking function. None of the lugs are level with the bottom of the knob.
Lugs not in line with base of knob
Locking lugs
Where locking lugs clip into chrome base
Guide lugs
Because the lugs are not in line with the bottom of the knob, I realised that I would need to get a tool that would go in between the knob and the chrome base and then be able to be pushed in and levered downwards to released the two locking lugs. Both had lugs have to be released at the same time. I used two small jeweler's screwdrivers.
Screwdrivers in place
Screwdrivers pushed in and down
It was then very easy to put enough pressure on the locking lugs to release the chrome cover. After the cover slid down, it was a simple matter of unscrewing the single knob locking screw and removing the old knob.
Old cover slid down
Knob locking screw
Old knob removed
Fitting the new knob was easy. Slip the new chrome cover onto the shaft; fit the new knob onto the shaft; secure the knob to the shaft with the screw; slide the new cover up until it clicks onto the locking lugs.
Chrome cover and knob secured
Voila!!! Finished!!