FAO NHN: S3 DSG Gear Knob Swap

Joe90k

Speed doesn't Kill!
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Hello,

I have spent most of this morning looking for this. I found it before but can't now lol

I want to swap my DSG Gear knob for a S3 one but need the How to on it. I have a 2008 S3 DSG knob and surround and I have a 2005 DSG 2.0TDi. I think it should be a straight sway with a little modification. Also the S3 knob has nothing inside it and the button is sprung loaded and stuck in, you can pull it out but it springs back in. Is that correct?

If anyone knows where it is please link it.

Cheers :)
Joe
 
I will hunt down my thread & its not straight swap, takes patients & have to be extremely careful.
 
Not a problem mate :)

I'm always up for a challenge :)

Got the tools etc. Work in a car audio shop and I specialise in custom work.

Cheers!
 
Thanks! :)

NHN Do you know if the S3 gearknob should have the button in when there is no gear selector rod inside it?
 
@Joe90k: can you put a pic with the knob?
I am also interested to change mine with one covered in perforated leather.
 
Thanks! :)

NHN Do you know if the S3 gearknob should have the button in when there is no gear selector rod inside it?

No the button should be out, there is a small rod inside the gearknob that has to be in a position that it keeps the button sticking out until its fixed onto the gear lever itself, so you can push the gear lever through middle, then the gear lever pushes the internal gearknob rod into the position so the button is on a sprung loaded position for use.

You have to get a hooked piece of metal which audi have as an actual tool, that pushes this rod back into position, all you need is to hook it & pull it down IIRC, I took mine apart completely to understand the fixing before embarking on my mod, I can tell you for sure it was fun, but end product was well worth it, so much better than the old side button, hated that.
 
No the button should be out, there is a small rod inside the gearknob that has to be in a position that it keeps the button sticking out until its fixed onto the gear lever itself, so you can push the gear lever through middle, then the gear lever pushes the internal gearknob rod into the position so the button is on a sprung loaded position for use.

You have to get a hooked piece of metal which audi have as an actual tool, that pushes this rod back into position, all you need is to hook it & pull it down IIRC, I took mine apart completely to understand the fixing before embarking on my mod, I can tell you for sure it was fun, but end product was well worth it, so much better than the old side button, hated that.

Mine is in, can you buy that rod that goes inside the knob? :O Or can I use the one out of the old gear knob?
 
..So you're a doctor then, -presumably?

Keef

Funny you should mention that cause I want to be one if I could afford the training.

Mine is in, can you buy that rod that goes inside the knob? :O Or can I use the one out of the old gear knob?

Mate its already inside the gearknob, it doesnt come out or dissappear, so all you need to do is pull it into the correct position inside the gearknob with a hooked thin metal strip.

He might as well be, he is that clever.....;)

If I was that clever trust me I wouldnt be here, lol.
 
I have changed my mind about this now, basically the gear knob I have has the silver brushed trim around it, my car being pre 8P2 facelift has all black shiney plastic. I am going to buy the version with the black plastic around it. So my old one is up for sale. It will come complete and ready to go with the ashtray with matching brushed trim. Looking for £60 posted to you.

I am after this one:
S3-Stronic-03.jpg


Do you know the part number NHN?
 
Also @ NHN did you get the gearbox state lights no light up? Is it a straight swap for the later one with the same plug?

Joe
 
The gearknob is purchased seperately to the gear surround trim, its not one unit, so you only need to buy the piano black surround trim, the actual display of gear state on the surround is always in alum on facelift cars with dsg, so you cant get that in piano black, only the surround is alum or piano black, gearknob is a seperate part alltogether. you can remove the leather boot with gearknob from the surround, turn it upside down & you will see the clips, also the leather boot is a seperate part, gearknob comes on its own.

If yours is a pre-05 then you can convert it to newer style & its same plug & yes I have all lights at night to show gear on the gear selector display.
 
Okay, thats good I will order the piano black part then. WHat part do I need to get it to light up?

Sorry for all the questions mate! Cheers for your help too!!

Joe
 
Right, all done, took me 46 minutes, that was easy! :)

I need the part number for that trim, I will look on etka when I get home but I need to install it. If your feeling nice does anyone fancy finding me the part number?

Cheers,
Joe
 
Done, you mean pulling the rod back into position or gearknob in place?

& think you've exhausted me today mate come on, lol
























PS. 8p0864261k 6ps soul black which should be piano black when I checked PR codes & shows from end of 04 to 07 which would be facelift number 1, its a returnable part usually so ask them if you order & its not correct which I think it is then can you return just by looking at it at the parts counter, should be obvious tbh.
 
Done, you mean pulling the rod back into position or gearknob in place?

& think you've exhausted me today mate come on, lol

PS. 8p0864261k 6ps soul black which should be piano black when I checked PR codes & shows from end of 04 to 07 which would be facelift number 1, its a returnable part usually so ask them if you order & its not correct which I think it is then can you return just by looking at it at the parts counter, should be obvious tbh.

Haha cheers buddy! Your my hero! lol

No I mean the whole mod was done, had to work out how the metal rod inside the knob clipped into the plastic rod but I released the springs and it was dead simple. I used my hot air attachement for my soldering iron and just did it slowly. I didnt feel it needed strengthening as I did it bit by bit with the help of a friend, it felt no weaker than it was before so hopefully it should be cool. I think the heat from the epoxy curing would make the plastic brittle and that may have been why yours broke. Aslong as you don't overheat the plastic it should be fine if that helps anyone else.

I'm gonna order that part on Monday, then I will get some pics up. If anyone wants the S3 ashtray and matching aluminium surround to the DSG gear knob then PM me.

Joe
 
Haha cheers buddy! Your my hero! lol

No I mean the whole mod was done, had to work out how the metal rod inside the knob clipped into the plastic rod but I released the springs and it was dead simple. I used my hot air attachement for my soldering iron and just did it slowly. I didnt feel it needed strengthening as I did it bit by bit with the help of a friend, it felt no weaker than it was before so hopefully it should be cool. I think the heat from the epoxy curing would make the plastic brittle and that may have been why yours broke. Aslong as you don't overheat the plastic it should be fine if that helps anyone else.

Read my notes again mate why it broke, something to do with me pulling back on climate & snapping it off, lol, epoxy curing wont make plastic brittle at all, its a strengthener overall, its not acidic as such on plastic & the chemical interaction doesnt make the plastic melt so its only made it tougher, if I didnt snap it then probably wouldnt be needed tbh, but I dont need to go back to the mod tbh so better safe than sorry.

I assume you reattached the 2 springs to the front button as it must stay sprung loaded to work fully or it'll flap loose.
 
Still having trouble with this. The gear selector display is £54 + VAT is that right? NHN do you have the PN for it? I also have no PN for the brushed aluminium surround because it's not on there anywhere??? I have to speacial order the surround too which means I can't return it if it's wrong. :(

Joe
 
Shut up, you're telling me they cant even sort that out, *** thats pathetic TBH

I did give a suggested part number in my earlier post 21 IIRC, this should be ok.

Might be special order if not in stock in Milton Keynes, thats life mate as mine were like this IIRC but I am thinking of swapping back to Piano Black as with white alcantara middles & door cards, the alum is tad to much & annoying me.
 
They arent good with parts, VW are though well some of them...

I have the same trim as you white middles with piano black doors, but looks too much with the brushed trim. I want the same setup as the photo above but need the parts. Did your gear selector display come with your gearknob? Or did you order it? If you ordered it is there any chance that you have the PN for it still?

Cheers,
Joe
 
Did your gear selector display come with your gearknob? Or did you order it? If you ordered it is there any chance that you have the PN for it still?

As already stated all parts are seperate & gear display unit is same as any for the dsg 05 onwards rhd & its in etka on a3 2005 page 713-10 part 3a & part number 8P2713463 for 3dr.

If they cant see that then they're fecking blind & absolutely thick as 2 shites I mean *** whose running your local audi parts stevie wonder & forest gump
 

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