I just bought a shift knob and try to remove the original one. I have been able to slip the leather boot from the console just by slightly pushing the base of the leather boot towards the shift rod. By turning the leather boot inside out, I have been able to expose a plastic collar. The collar can be loosened by doing a quarter turn click clockwise(if you are looking at the shift rod from the top). Underneath is another plastic collar which secures four flanges against the shift rod. That is where I got stuck! I tried to turn this collar CW or ACW to no avail. The only thing I have achieved is an unnerving squeaking noise when I tried. I have research into other posts of this forum, but the only thing close to the W204 is the SLK but nobody mentioned anything about the second collar.


Please help!!

 

Really nobody tried removing the shift knob yet???

 

Finally, I figure it out. The following is how I did it. Please be careful with the individual steps. Some of the parts are quite fragile. Do not hold me responsible for any damage to your car, ie. do it at your own risk.

This is how it can be done:-

1. The base of the leather boot is stapled to a rectangular plastic frame. Slip the leather boot from the console just by slightly pushing the base of the leather boot in(ie. the rectangular frame) towards the shift rod. The leather boot will easily slip out of the console.
2. By turning the leather boot inside out, a plastic collar will be exposed. This first collar can be loosened and drop to the bottom of the shift rod by doing an eighth turn clockwise(ie. if you are looking at the shift rod from the top). Underneath is a second plastic collar which secures four flanges against a groove around the shift rod. These four flanges form the base of the shift knob.
3. This is the tricky part. This second collar has to be pushed up against the shift knob away from the flanges in order to loosen the flanges from the groove around the rod. By now you should be able to pull the whole contraption, shift knob,the second collar and the shift boot out of the shift rod.
4. You still have the shift boot between the base of the shift knob with the four flanges and the second collar. By pushing the 4 flanges in, you should be able to disengage the collar from the base of the shift knob and free the boot.
5. With whatever aftermarket knob you have acquired, now you can installed the new knob without any problem.

I got a Birds-eye-maple/chrome knob from ForMyMercedes and it is an exact match to the factory trims.

 

Good choice . I was thinking about getting that knob too. Can you post a pic of the knob installed? Thanks

 

Will post pictures later. Still got a lot of mods to finish off. Got Hella Tire Pressure Monitor hiding neatly in my ashtray and works like a gem. Window tinted 35%. Front bra done. Illuminated sills on all four doors from ForMyMercedes again. Pioneer rear camera and FLIR Nightvision installed but not hook up yet. Still waiting for MidCityEngineering. Got front and rear park sensors from them but not installed yet. May be paint grille Obs Black and leaving chrome, but not sure yet. Will also mod windbreaker fabric of panoroof. Wind noise drove me nuts!

 

Great write up here! I have been holding off to get the C63 shift knob thats silver and leather to replace my sport knob, had a quick look at it but couldnt figure out how to go about getting the old knob off but now I know!

 

Post some pictures

 

A lot more involved than I thought. Thanks for posting the procedure.

 

for the tire pressure monitoring system, how does that get along with TPMS? Everything i can find on google says these systems are for use in cars that don't already have tpms but that seems a bit silly.

 

We in Canada do not have the TPMS like the ones you have in US.

 

Is your description for the automatic or manual ? I just ordered a C300 manual and very interested to learn how to replace the OEM shift knob (which looks "plasticky") to a momo.

thanks,

 

I'd like to tackle that as well.

 

Same here.

Has anyone (with a manual transmission, of course) installed a short shifter of some kind to shorten the action?

This is not an attempt to hijack.

 

whats wrong with the stock one ..????..i dont think replacing it would be better ..!!!.

 

there are nothing wrong with the OEM shift knob, just wanted something feel and looks more solid e.g. metallic. Just keep in mind that this is one of the part that the driver will have their hand on all the time.

not sure if everyone share the same thought :0)

 

When I took out my shifter (automatic) I pulled the leather boot rectangle off as described above (fingers under the front part of the leather boot, and pull up and back towards the knob) ... flipped the leather boot up and revealed the little bottom collar at the base of the shif knob, turned that about an 1/8th turn, then just slid the shifter up and off...that's it. Takes minimal effort to slide it off.

 

Hey phs...any updates on the nightvision and also do you have any pix of the shifter?

 

Here are instructions and a couple videos we made for shift knob replacement on automatic:

1. The leather boot is stapled to a rectangular plastic frame that slides into the console’s rectangular trim. Remove the boot at the console by slightly pushing in on the leather on the driver’s side approximately 1 inch from the top and bottom. The leather boot will easily slip out of the console. (See You Tube video below.)

2. Turn the leather boot inside out. Loosen the first collar by turning counter-clockwise ¼ turn. (Looking at the shift knob from the top with your hand under the boot) Underneath is a second plastic collar which secures four flanges against a groove around the shift rod. These four flanges form the base of the shift knob.

3. This second collar has to be pushed up against the shift knob, away from the flanges in order to loosen the flanges from the groove around the rod. By now you should be able to pull the shift knob, second collar and the shift boot from the shift rod.

4. You still have the shift boot between the base of the shift knob with the four flanges and the second collar. By pushing the 4 flanges in, you disengage the collar from the base of the shift knob, and free the boot.

5. To install the Schaetz shift knob. Unscrew the chrome dome shaped fitting from the base of the shift knob. Place five parts onto the shaft in this order: First put the knurled ring on the shaft, then the nylon ring flat side down, then the leather boot, then the chrome domed fitting, then install the shift knob itself onto the shaft.

Make sure the shift knob is fully seated on the shaft and facing the right direction. Next screw on the chrome dome shaped fitting to the base of the shift knob, which holds the shift knob firmly in place. Next, push the leather boot against the underside of the chrome dome shaped fitting. Bring up the nylon ring against the leather boot. Make sure that the boot is straight and not twisted. Hold boot into position by screwing the knurled ring against the nylon ring. Lastly, re-insert the base of the leather boot into the console’s rectangular trim.

Please take a look at the videos linked below.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKxcmY8knrs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTHyk...eature=related

 

OP, you lookin' to sell the OE knob?

You can also find instructions on formymerecedes.com.

Edit: The instructions above appear to be those instructions.

 

Yes it is from Jerry's site . We worked on it together. That's me in video and we wrote out the instructions after I received the Wood shifter and it came with no info. He didn't know about removing the chrome dome piece to get the knob to seat correctly.
Re: selling original shifter,on the fence . Being the Luxury shifter it is all black . I will contact you if I fall off the fence .

 

If it is leather, in good condition, and you decide to sell it, let me know. I am not too crazy about the plastic aluminum-colored one in my 6MT and I can't find the Brabus knob.

 

Can't wait to see pics of everything

the brabus shifter is F--ing Sick

 

Did you try CEC in Miami?
East
8870 NW 24th Terrace
Miami, Florida 33172
TEL 866.805.0692
FAX 305.463.8487

 

Gonna attempt to install my brabus shifter tonight. will post pics when done.

 

def worth swtiching out the aluminum/plastic shifter...new one feels more solid and changes the whole look of the inside...sorry for the crappy photos