[Ceenit]

I've been reading thruogh the various threads on shifter replacement/refurbishing. While I like the style of the aftermarket shifters, I want to avoid any headaches of the 'buzzing' issue.



1 - Has anyone purchased the leather replacement boot from Rennbay? This piece recovers both the knob and the boot. I'm thinking that buying this in combination with the brushed metal pattern insert may be a good option. I'm just wanting to insure that someone has had a good experience with the finished product.



2 - Another option is to buy a shifter/boot from a dismantler. There aren't many that I see coming up in good condition from a 968. Does anyone know if the 944 shifter is a direct replacement? I know the shift pattern insert would be wrong, but that would be easy to replace.



Thanks

Chris

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Darryl]

The knob on the 944 is the same but I think there is a spring clip that is/was added for the 968...it's been awhile since my 944 and other things have taken the place of that memory location! Check out AGLA...they have most if not all of the factory colors available and offer complete knob/kits off the shelf. http://www.aglausa.com



- Darryl

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Ceenit]

Just spoke with Alan of AGLA. Very nice guy and very familair with about every Porsche shift knob out there. I'm going with a 968 shift knob that he has recovered and I'll send him my old one as a 'core replacement'. That way I'll avoid the buzzing issue. I'll hopefully see it by this weekend and snap a pic of the old and new. Definetely excited about the new shifter. The old one was in terrible shape and just bothered me every time I had to grab hold of it.



Thanks for the contact.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[egebhard]

I assume your interior color is classic gray. I ordered a new classic gray replacement from Porsche through porscheshop.co.uk. Little pricey but very happy with it.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

ceenit - before you do that, i sent you a PM

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[danish22]

I just posted another thread about this exact topic....





I originally had a wooden shift knob on there (from the factory, original part) that was scratched up. So I went with Alan Gunn leather products and bought a new shift knob (other than the stereo, I'm trying to keep it as stock as possible). Very easy to install and looks very good. It's mounted on there solid. Slight problem though. When I hit 1700-2100 RPM now there is a very loud vibration coming from the gear shift area. I definitely didn't dig anywhere into the car other that just the simple gear shift swap, but the vibration is very loud. The engine, clutch, gas pedal, etc... shows no vibration and no noise at all. Just from the shifter, and if I just barely touch the shifter to the left or right, no more than a millimeter or two, the vibration and noise stops. It definitely was not there with the prior wooden shifter and I'm surprised how loud it is with just a simple swap of a knob. So, even though the Alan Gunn shifter should be a near-factory direct replacement, I'm getting the loud buzz with it as well. I had spoken to them several times (had quite a bit of trouble with the mail getting the shifter here) but they never mentioned a core replacement or any issues with buzzing.



I will new dig deep into the forums to search for "buzz" instead of "vibration" and I'll probably find the answer on how to fix it. I hope... If anyone has any tech tips on how to get rid of it, please let me know.





Thanks,



Dane

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

unfortunately, your search efforts will show that there is no fix yet that anybody has come up with to kill the buzz in an aftermarket shifter - only the OEM shifter is quiet, and the reason is the rubber isolators inside

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Ceenit]

[quote name='egebhard' timestamp='1289261916' post='100867']

I assume your interior color is classic gray. I ordered a new classic gray replacement from Porsche through porscheshop.co.uk. Little pricey but very happy with it.

[/quote]



My seats and carpet are grey, but my shifter boot is black. I'm going with the black replacement.



Danish - I had the 'root wood' shifter in my last 968 cab. I really liked the look and it came with the leather shift pattern insert (which disintigrates quickly). If I could find another OEM shifter like that, it would be worth refishing the woodwork.



I'll reserve comment's pro or con on AGLA till I get the finished product back. Keeping my fingers crossed for a postive experience. Thanks for all the insight on what to watch out for. I'll post back on this thread when complete.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[danish22]

Well I put the wooden shift knob back on and sure enough...vibration is gone. The original wooden shifter is hollow with a rubber piece inside, his new ones AGLA makes are solid. So that is what is causing the vibration. Alan Gun has been very good about emailing me back and forth and working with me. I'm going to return the solid leather one and I think he'll send me a hollow OEM style leather one with the rubber bushing inside. Hopefully that'll work. If not, I'll figure out a way to refurbish the wooden one.



Once again, 968 forums to the rescue. I probably would have spent a lot of time and money sorting this out on my own with trips to a mechanic and everything else.



I'll keep you posted.



Dane

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[smshirk]

Has anyone tried this guys 968 shifter replacement? My link

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

"Has anyone tried this guys 968 shifter replacement? My link"



I'll bet your next three paychecks <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> that any of these shifters will buzz. Like Flash says, only the original shifter appears to be immune from the problem.



It seems to be the only cure would be to take one of the aftermarket shifters, enlarge the size of the opening, and somehow fit the same style insulating material that exists inside the stock shifter. Ever then, the fact that the aftermarket shifters are so much lighter than the stock one may make even this an incomplete solution.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[smshirk]

I wouldn't take that bet having spent two weeks trying to quiet down a 996 shifter a few years ago. I put the original back on.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

Yeah, I think that's what a lot of people are doing. I have my original shifter, but it's missing the insulating material! I wonder if it's possible to get a replacement, or would I need a whole new shifter?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968Z]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but I have the afore-mentioned rootwood shift knob with the disintigrating leather shift pattern. I stemmed some of the wear using clear nail polish, but does anyone know if the leather shift pattern inset can be obtained or replaced? I'd like to keep the knob, but a Porche replacement is ridiculously priced.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[biotechee]

968Z-



You can remove the existing leather insert from the rootwood knob, buy the stainless insert available from a few vendors, and put in place where the old leather one was. You will probably have to drill out a little of the knob recess. I would anchor the knob in some dense, protective foam then clamp it under a drill press to remove some of the material. Take your time and go slowly so you don't damage the knob. Use a dab of gorilla glue to hold it in place- not too much 'cause it expands like a mutha! Heavy Duty Liquid Nails will work as well.



This is what I did if I remember correctly....



It is not difficult technically, just need to be careful so as to not damage the knob by drilling out too much or damaging the exterior finish due to a "slip."



You can also use an original plastic shift pattern too, probably easily sourced on Ebay or any of the parts houses. But I think that would look hokey compared to a nice stainless insert!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968Z]

Thanks 'techee. I may have to go that route, but I sort of like the leather. I have a rootwood (burlwood) trim kit, and the stainless may look a little out of place. I agree about the plasic insert; better to keep the old leather than that.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[biotechee]

www.eagleday.com has a 6spd pattern insert that might fit the bill...



You can also get a black insert with a crest too - search "porsche shift knob insert"

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[94SilverCab]

A bit OT, I used Eagleday for my Tenax fasteners on the cab boot cover FAST, excellent service...



Jay

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Ceenit]

Just a follow-up. I did get the replacement shifter from AGLA last week. He did a very good job refitting the leather and a new plastic insert. Overall I'm happy, just installed and it looks 100% better that the old one it replaced with very worn leather.



It did take a little longer than expected to get the AGLA product, and the metal core that the clip fits around was not in nearly as good shape as my old one, but overall it looks great, seems to fit snugly with the pin, and no annoying rattle. One more mini-project completed.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[rhudeboye]

Thats good news. Got any pics?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.