240 Hello! Manual Shifter knob replacement?

SnakeRacingCo · 01-09-2018, 02:11 PM

Hi everyone! Thanks for taking the time out to read. Brand new to the forum, and to Volvo ownership. Just picked up a 1990 245 with about 260,000 kms on it (I'm in Canada.)

One of the issues that I'm having is that the shifter knob on the M46 trans feels just awful. The top cap on it has fallen off and the upper part of the shifter slides up and down, just like the collar does. Now I know I need the collar to be able to move up and down, and I've read that it's just press fitted on, but do I need to get a specific type of shifter knob or can I just get something generic?

Appreciate the input, you'll probably see some more posts soon as I discover more issues!

Thanks!

EDIT: See post #13

EivlEvo · 01-09-2018, 02:42 PM

The headache you're going to get into by trying to change the shifter knob on the stupid M46 isn't worth it.

I haven't done it, but I think you'd need to adapt any aftermarket shift knob to have the right diameter (because it presses on via wedge rather than threads on) and then you'd need to drill a hole or something for the stupid OD switch.

Yes the shift knob sucks. Mine would fly off at comically critical situations. My solution was to turbo the sh** out of it and go T5. But I'm pretty dumb.

EivlEvo · 01-09-2018, 02:43 PM

Also welcome. How's Tronna? Leafs suck.

swedefiend · 01-09-2018, 03:07 PM

My M47 has a generic knob from AutoZone.

It was one of the more expensive but plainer knobs and is held on the stalk by set screws. The only problem I had was the set screws trying to back out. Loctite used sparingly helped stop that.

You could theoretically put the overdrive switch anywhere (dash, ebrake cover, etc.).

dl242gt · 01-09-2018, 03:23 PM

I've had good experience with the stock aftermarket replacement knobs. You car should be an M47 five speed. I would get a new plate as well for the top of the shift knob. You can check with Volvo world in Canada for the parts.

With your description of the upper part of the shifter moving up and down. Then I would also suspect that the ball socket bushings that the shifter fits into are bad. A good place to browse for part numbers is the genuine classic parts site. You can goto the catalog section and look at exploded diagrams then match it to the part numbers. Then search and you can see what is available. http://www.gcp.se

Wish you well with it.

SnakeRacingCo · 01-09-2018, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EivlEvo

Also welcome. How's Tronna? Leafs suck.

Thank you! Tuhronna is great, better since it's not -30 (C). Yes, the Leafs suck, but we all drink beer and cheer them on anyways because that's what we do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swedefiend

My M47 has a generic knob from AutoZone.

It was one of the more expensive but plainer knobs and is held on the stalk by set screws. The only problem I had was the set screws trying to back out. Loctite used sparingly helped stop that.

You could theoretically put the overdrive switch anywhere (dash, ebrake cover, etc.).

The M46 (4 speed with electric overdrive) has this weird knob with a button RIGHT in the middle of it. Here's a picture of the type of knob (found this on Google, not mine) and mine has no cap, so it seems to just slip around all over the place. I also don't think they're held on with set screws, I think they're just wedged on. Which is dumb.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dl242gt

I've had good experience with the stock aftermarket replacement knobs. You car should be an M47 five speed. I would get a new plate as well for the top of the shift knob. You can check with Volvo world in Canada for the parts.

With your description of the upper part of the shifter moving up and down. Then I would also suspect that the ball socket bushings that the shifter fits into are bad. A good place to browse for part numbers is the genuine classic parts site. You can goto the catalog section and look at exploded diagrams then match it to the part numbers. Then search and you can see what is available. http://www.gcp.se

Wish you well with it.

VIN seems to indicate it's an M46? Which I believe is the electric overdrive rather than an actual 5 speed shifter. That link is SUPER helpful though, thank you very much!

Redwood Chair · 01-09-2018, 05:01 PM

I have a complete M46 knob for $20 plus shipping.

SnakeRacingCo · 01-09-2018, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redwood Chair

I have a complete M46 knob for $20 plus shipping.

PMed

mblue240 · 01-09-2018, 05:15 PM

Redwood would likely have the best deal, but you can still get the whole set up new from the dealer. I think I paid $50ish for an M47 knob (same as M46) and cap.

EivlEvo · 01-09-2018, 05:27 PM

I came in here to confirm I apparently have no idea what I'm talking about. Obv.

SnakeRacingCo · 01-09-2018, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EivlEvo

I came in here to confirm I apparently have no idea what I'm talking about. Obv.

Take solace in the fact that no matter how little of an idea you think you have, I have less.

Really though, after looking at some options online I think you may be right. Moving the switch seems like a real pain, so I will probably just look for a replacement knob and deal with it.

dl242gt · 01-09-2018, 08:01 PM

A 1990 US or Canada market manual trans car would have an M47 five speed in it. Seems like if you have the switch for electric overdrive then someone retrofitted your car with an M46.

Yes, the switch is just set into the top of the shifter knob and then the cap holds it in place.

SnakeRacingCo · 01-10-2018, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dl242gt

A 1990 US or Canada market manual trans car would have an M47 five speed in it. Seems like if you have the switch for electric overdrive then someone retrofitted your car with an M46.

Yes, the switch is just set into the top of the shifter knob and then the cap holds it in place.

Attention everyone, it seems like I am a total moron and the above is correct. Top gear (I'd rather call it that than 5th gear) is definitely not selected with a switch.

Apparently using a VIN decoder to decide what trans you have is not as accurate as actually just trying to move the trans into 5th.

The shifter knob still spins and moves up and down like crazy, but at least now I know that I can just replace the knob with something more conventional.

PFA:

dl242gt · 01-10-2018, 03:20 AM

These cars are old enough you may have to figure out what someone did to the car.

John242Ti · 01-10-2018, 04:45 AM

^Especially after they've gone through CL a few times.

Some of the Momo knobs will work, too, if you want to go that route. One of the other guys used a Momo knob on his '83 245Ti with the M46. Repurposed a momentary rear demist switch for the overdrive on his car. While you're working on the transmission, consider buying the STS Machining (77volvo245 is their username here) bronze/delrin shifter bushing kit. I put that on my 242 and the transmission feels much tighter than either the one in my 245, or my spare transmission when it still had its shifter installed.

-J

VB242 · 01-10-2018, 05:45 AM

I drilled and pinned my M47 shift knob before it was blowed up.

Redwood Chair · 01-10-2018, 01:06 PM

I have a nice tight fitting M47 shift knob for $20 plus the ride as well...

SnakeRacingCo · 01-10-2018, 01:14 PM

Thanks everyone for all your info. I'm definitely going to look into a replacement shift knob and I'll check into all those options. The Momo shift knob is a great idea, I've always loved how they look.

I'm going to dig into the car tomorrow (which I drove home yesterday) and see what I can find in terms of issues. First on the list is try and reduce the amount of fuel leaking out of the bottom of the car and also try and get the battery to charge properly.

propav8r · 01-10-2018, 01:26 PM

I do custom M46/7 wood shift knobs. They are drilled to the correct diameter for a snug fit, and use a set screw for retention. If you're interested, drop me a PM.

[IMG]

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Harlard · 01-10-2018, 01:44 PM

I paid $12 for a new knob from the dealer a few years ago.

SnakeRacingCo · 01-10-2018, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by propav8r

I do custom M46/7 wood shift knobs. They are drilled to the correct diameter for a snug fit, and use a set screw for retention. If you're interested, drop me a PM.

Those look really slick! Once I get rid of some other issues that are more pressing I'll definitely consider it. Thanks!

propav8r · 01-10-2018, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnakeRacingCo

Those look really slick! Once I get rid of some other issues that are more pressing I'll definitely consider it. Thanks!

Just holler. I can make whatever shape/design/wood you want.

01-09-2018, 03:23 PM	#5
dl242gt Can play the blues Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: S NJ, a suburb of Phila.	I've had good experience with the stock aftermarket replacement knobs. You car should be an M47 five speed. I would get a new plate as well for the top of the shift knob. You can check with Volvo world in Canada for the parts. With your description of the upper part of the shifter moving up and down. Then I would also suspect that the ball socket bushings that the shifter fits into are bad. A good place to browse for part numbers is the genuine classic parts site. You can goto the catalog section and look at exploded diagrams then match it to the part numbers. Then search and you can see what is available. http://www.gcp.se Wish you well with it. __________________ Dave, 1982 242 turbo. 339k miles. Lots of good changes. 1993 245 Classic, 415k miles, enem V15. 5spd. IPD bars and chassis braces. Simons sport exhaust from Scandix. chipped ezk. Been a good road warrior.

01-10-2018, 04:45 AM	#15
John242Ti manofewords Join Date: May 2003 Location: Duvall, WA	^Especially after they've gone through CL a few times. Some of the Momo knobs will work, too, if you want to go that route. One of the other guys used a Momo knob on his '83 245Ti with the M46. Repurposed a momentary rear demist switch for the overdrive on his car. While you're working on the transmission, consider buying the STS Machining (77volvo245 is their username here) bronze/delrin shifter bushing kit. I put that on my 242 and the transmission feels much tighter than either the one in my 245, or my spare transmission when it still had its shifter installed. -J __________________ 1982 242Ti - black, M46. 1985 245Ti - blue, M46. 1989 745Ti - red, Aw71. Formerly Blue245Ti, 245GT-Turbo, and, originally 242GT-Ti.

01-10-2018, 05:45 AM	#16
VB242 One hundred gift baskets Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Virginia Beach	I drilled and pinned my M47 shift knob before it was blowed up. __________________ 1980 primer Franken-242DL, 1989 silver 780 bone stock.

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01-09-2018, 02:11 PM	#1
SnakeRacingCo Newbie Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada	Hello! Manual Shifter knob replacement? Hi everyone! Thanks for taking the time out to read. Brand new to the forum, and to Volvo ownership. Just picked up a 1990 245 with about 260,000 kms on it (I'm in Canada.) One of the issues that I'm having is that the shifter knob on the M46 trans feels just awful. The top cap on it has fallen off and the upper part of the shifter slides up and down, just like the collar does. Now I know I need the collar to be able to move up and down, and I've read that it's just press fitted on, but do I need to get a specific type of shifter knob or can I just get something generic? Appreciate the input, you'll probably see some more posts soon as I discover more issues! Thanks! EDIT: See post #13 Last edited by SnakeRacingCo; 01-10-2018 at 12:16 AM..

01-09-2018, 02:42 PM	#2
EivlEvo Board Member Join Date: Sep 2012	The headache you're going to get into by trying to change the shifter knob on the stupid M46 isn't worth it. I haven't done it, but I think you'd need to adapt any aftermarket shift knob to have the right diameter (because it presses on via wedge rather than threads on) and then you'd need to drill a hole or something for the stupid OD switch. Yes the shift knob sucks. Mine would fly off at comically critical situations. My solution was to turbo the sh** out of it and go T5. But I'm pretty dumb.

01-09-2018, 02:43 PM	#3
EivlEvo Board Member Join Date: Sep 2012	Also welcome. How's Tronna? Leafs suck.

01-09-2018, 03:07 PM	#4
swedefiend ... Join Date: Jul 2004	My M47 has a generic knob from AutoZone. It was one of the more expensive but plainer knobs and is held on the stalk by set screws. The only problem I had was the set screws trying to back out. Loctite used sparingly helped stop that. You could theoretically put the overdrive switch anywhere (dash, ebrake cover, etc.).

01-09-2018, 05:27 PM	#10
EivlEvo Board Member Join Date: Sep 2012	I came in here to confirm I apparently have no idea what I'm talking about. Obv.

01-09-2018, 08:01 PM	#12
dl242gt Can play the blues Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: S NJ, a suburb of Phila.	A 1990 US or Canada market manual trans car would have an M47 five speed in it. Seems like if you have the switch for electric overdrive then someone retrofitted your car with an M46. Yes, the switch is just set into the top of the shifter knob and then the cap holds it in place.

01-10-2018, 03:20 AM	#14
dl242gt Can play the blues Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: S NJ, a suburb of Phila.	These cars are old enough you may have to figure out what someone did to the car.

01-10-2018, 01:06 PM	#17
Redwood Chair K-jet For Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: - Stock PSI Or Bust -	I have a nice tight fitting M47 shift knob for $20 plus the ride as well...

01-10-2018, 01:14 PM	#18
SnakeRacingCo Newbie Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada	Thanks everyone for all your info. I'm definitely going to look into a replacement shift knob and I'll check into all those options. The Momo shift knob is a great idea, I've always loved how they look. I'm going to dig into the car tomorrow (which I drove home yesterday) and see what I can find in terms of issues. First on the list is try and reduce the amount of fuel leaking out of the bottom of the car and also try and get the battery to charge properly.