Gear Shift Knob replacement? Please Help!

[downsb]

I need to replace the gear shift knob in my auto '01 corolla (w/ OD). It looks like the previous owner let loose a dog or small child that decided plastic is delicious...My turn signal lever and wiper levers are also chewed up but one thing at a time...

Has anyone had any experience with changing this shift knob? The closest thing I can find that will work with an auto with overdrive (ebaying) is
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OBX-T...A1%7C72%3A1171

And that's a little more than I'd like to pay...

Does anyone know how the switch is done or if there's a cheaper knob somewhere else?

Thanks!

[fishexpo101]

I'd stay away from OBX stuff - not the best quality. You can find better stuff for the same price.

As far as replacement goes - not too bad. Be easier with an OEM setup, unless you want to go a different route. Try a pick and pull or auto salvage yard. Should be able to find all the bits you need for a really good price. Some places will pull the part you need for a small fee - but I would recommend that you pull it yourself to get an understanding on how it goes together/comes apart.

As for the shift assembly itself - you can either replace the whole assembly or just the knob. Either way - you have to get to the bottom of the shift assembly - that means pulling hte lower finish paneling off to expose the works. The shifter is held in by a pin - that you have to tap out to remove. Wiring for the O/D - just trace back the wiring.

This will be a fairly involved process - not "hard" - just time consuming. Definitely a lot harder than a manual transaxle shift assembly, where you basically unscrew the knob and replace.

[MacktasticSlick]

I took the shift knob on my 99 auto the other day and it was really easy. I just put in the "1" position that way I could get to the 2 screws on the back. Once you take those off, the whole thing lifts right up. The button to unlock the lever will pop off wneh you do this however, and don't lose that spring behind it. The OD wire trails down the inside of the shifter. I only did this because my OD button stopped working a while back, and when I took the whole thing off, I found out the clip that holds the wires to the button was messed up somehow. Anyway, I rerouted the wire to a toggle switch that I placed where that stupid coin holder is by the emergenct brake. Well, I'm not done, because I can't figure out how to hold it in place. so it's kinda just laying there right now.