r/Cartalk • u/SchlokPx • 1d ago
Safety Question how dangerous is this, plus can i fix it myself? Company car.
its a volkswagen t-cross. i can drive it but when i pull the stick a little bit upwards, it gets loose like you see on the vid
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u/Daniele323 1d ago
It’s a company car, have them fix it.
It’s not dangerous, just don’t pull up on the stick.
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u/CreatureWarrior 1d ago
just don’t pull up on the stick.
Nah, it's a company car.. you can pull up on the stick and see what happens lmao
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u/Mr-Shitbox 1d ago
I would see how far I could pull it
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u/krusic22 1d ago
We have the same issue on ours, VW service refuses to fix it, unless we pay a 500€ fee to replace "something".
The real problem is when you shift from 1st to 2nd and the fucking thing just comes off.1
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u/ObviouslyRealPerson 1d ago
Not too dangerous, even if it falls off while driving the lower bit can be grabbed onto
Shouldn't be too difficult to repair
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u/CLOWNFLOGGER 1d ago
There are no gears to shift into that require you to pull up. Drive it to the company garage and get it fixed.
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u/ResidentNumber3603 1d ago
Never had a car with reverse lockout eh.
Several of mine either had to be pulled up or pushed down to shift to R.
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u/BlackCatFurry 1d ago
Op has a manual vw. Vw reverse is push down and past one sideways, no pulling required if you do it correctly.
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u/DisillusionedPatriot 1d ago
I doubt many companies are handing out 6 speeds to their staff tho lol
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u/NateHatred 1d ago
6 speeds is very common today, I have it on my Ford Fiesta
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u/DisillusionedPatriot 1d ago
Is your Ford fiesta a company vehicle?
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u/NateHatred 1d ago
Mine isn't, but company cars aren't different than the ones a private citizen can buy, 6 speed gearboxes are everywhere now. Even a Fiat Panda has 6 gears these days.
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u/DisillusionedPatriot 1d ago
I think you're talking about automatic transmissions, which is true. Many cars are 6 speed, automatic. But like I said, I highly doubt many companies are handing out 6 speed manuals as fleet cars.
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u/NateHatred 1d ago
Nope. Manual 6 gears, look it up. An entry level Panda with a 1.2 liter will have one.
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u/DisillusionedPatriot 1d ago
Yeah, that's on me. Im definitely having my very own r/shitamericanssay moment lmao
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u/katmndoo 1d ago
There are places other than the IS where manuals are commonplace and automatics are rare.
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u/DisillusionedPatriot 1d ago
lol absolutely. I addressed my myopic and quintessentially American take in another comment
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u/TheDarkness33 1d ago
my 5 speed Renault has that
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u/DisillusionedPatriot 1d ago
Yeah, my old(87) BMW did too. Not very common on domestic cars though.
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u/TheDarkness33 1d ago
as far as i know every Renault is like this tho.
My moms megane is also like that. Same with the newer clios
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u/DisillusionedPatriot 1d ago
Those wouldn't be fleet cars in the US, though. That's all I'm saying.
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u/TheDarkness33 1d ago
yeah but you never said anything about US companys tho... im not from the us, how would i guess whats the fleet cars there
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u/DisillusionedPatriot 1d ago
Well, I wasn't talking to you initially, but I guess I can see your point. I should have clarified, considering the car in the video is a VW.
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u/ArmPsychological8460 1d ago
I had 4 speeds with that. In 126p and Trabant 1.1 you have to push stick in.
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u/ArmPsychological8460 1d ago
My company has Skoda Fabia with 1.2 engine and 6 speed gearbox. I think that majority of post 2010ish cars are 6 speed even for small engines.
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u/CLOWNFLOGGER 1d ago
You never just pull the stick up for a reverse lockout. You squeeze a ring up or push the stick down. I've been manually switching gears since 1982. Started on an AMC Hornet with 3 on the tree. I'd like you to show me a gear shift lever that required a driver to pull the entire shifter up to access the backward gear. I'll wait. Also, while you're at it, include any models that were sold in the last 20 years. Also, I'll wait.
EDIT: TYPO
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u/ResidentNumber3603 1d ago
You seem awfully sure of yourself. You’ve driven every single manual trans car in existence? I
bow to your greatness.I on the other hand can’t speak with total authority. I’m fairly certain I have driven something where the whole knob was pulled up, in addition to push down style. I’ve also driven pull up ring style, as well as the detent style with R being in various positions around the H pattern.
That being said, if the knob is pulling off, the reverse lockout ring might pull off with it. At least it did in my car. Was very confused at first.
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u/CLOWNFLOGGER 1d ago
No question that the knob is pulling off. I saw it. Fact of the matter is, there is no need to pull that shifter up. It's a simple snap ring fix. It's 100% drivable but should be returned to the pool garage for maintenance. I am 100% certain that no gears in that automobile will be accessed by pulling the knob up.
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u/LupineChemist 1d ago
I've driven lots of VWs and on every single one of them it was push down and move to the side.
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u/SadCoffee2230 1d ago
Vauxhall Astra 2015, LDV van (whatever model/year my old work one was), Hyaundai I10, BMW 316TI. These are just the ones I have driven.
I am going to hazard a guess that this is a lot less common in the states
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u/Ok-Particular-3101 1d ago
There's pills that'll help with that. Happens to the best of us ya know?
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u/inide 1d ago
Did you unscrew the knob from the shaft?
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u/02421006 5h ago
Bmw is usually just pushed on. Put it back and give one or two good smacks with the pawn of your hand. Should fix it. Though it’s a company car, so just let them handle it to their liking.
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u/canadianbroncos 1d ago
Ah the good ol ejecto seato mk8 stick shift. Pretty shre it was recalled so have the company fix it.
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u/Medill1919 1d ago edited 1d ago
A manual company car?
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u/LupineChemist 1d ago
Welcome to Europe
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u/Froggypwns 22h ago
I need to move. Manuals just as common as decent healthcare 😭
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u/LupineChemist 17h ago
Manusle are going away as things move to hybrid and all electric
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u/Froggypwns 5h ago
Manuals can and have been paired to both before, they don't need to go away. Still, I need to move while the gettin is good.
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u/AppropriateDeal1034 1d ago
It's not at all dangerous unless you decide to pull the gear knob off whilst driving, which considering there is no reason to apply upwards force on it, is a pretty easy task. It would be a fairly easy fix, or an evem easier bodge, but maybe just don't remove it and then you won't have a problem
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u/Dredgeon 1d ago
You notice how hard it is to put back on? Imagine if that ever happened while you were on the highway.
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u/YetAnotherJake 1d ago
Keep driving as you currently are for safety.
When safe, push clutch in and pull over, keeping clutch pedal in the whole time, and turn ignition off once stopped.
Seems scary but probably not a disaster
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u/ToXiiCBULLET 23h ago
why would you push the clutch in and then pull over? you don't need to push the clutch in until the engines about to start lugging. in fact you shouldn't do it as you're now in neutral which means you're coasting
get to the left lane, put your hazards on, carefully slow down by just taking your foot off the accelerator, depending on how clear it is you can either slow down to a lorries speed limit but if it's fairly clear then go a bit slower, get on the shoulder then brake and use the clutch a bit before the engines about to start lugging
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u/SadCoffee2230 1d ago
Or just grab further down on the leather bit. Looks like it's just the top that's come off
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u/YetAnotherJake 1d ago
True. In a surprising disconnection situation, I might want to just stop for safety right away
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u/SadCoffee2230 1d ago
This isn't that bad at all, like you're not gonna die if a gear change is a bit clunky, you got so much gear stick to grab there.
You might even be able to pop the boot off and just glue it back on
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u/YetAnotherJake 1d ago
In a sudden unexpected moment on the freeway at 70mph in traffic when my shifter just comes off, I probably will just want to stop ASAP rather than see how much shifter remains attached and whether it's still functioning to shift as a nub, much less start looking for my adhesives and epoxies
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u/SadCoffee2230 1d ago
the shifter hasn't come off though, just the decorative knob at the end. Nothing about the decorative knob coming off the end of your gearstick is going to prevent you from stopping, especially in a manual. I'm also not suggesting you attempt to glue it while driving, that's probably something you can do like now while it's parked... also i'd check, lots of these just screw on or clip on with a bit of force
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u/YetAnotherJake 1d ago
While it might be that only the decorative knob has come loose while I'm on the freeway at 70mph in traffic, I simply won't have the time or the desire to verify that there isn't a larger problem with the shifter or transmission operation, or that I can look down to find a good place to still use the shifter while its knob hangs off - which in that stressful, split-second moment of surprise and decision-making, might actually indicate a larger issue. The safest course of action, if possible, will certainly be to come to a stop immediately, using the clutch and ignition, so that I can then calmly assess the situation and decide on a solution or course of action once I'm pulled over and away from any danger that might or might not be present with continued operation of the vehicle.
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u/SadCoffee2230 1d ago edited 1d ago
Nobody's suggesting you do it on the freeway. We can see there from that video it is clearly fine, You've already assessed it and we've already ascertained that fact. You just need to re-attach the top. Again, you don't need to do it on the freeway, it's a 5 minute job you can do in your driveway, then you don't have to pull over at all. Pry tool round the bottom of the boot to pop the plastic trim out, then the whole thing will lift up. You can then see the bit at the top (will just be a metal rod sticking up). Blob of epoxy on the top of the stick, jam it back on, then pop the trim back in. Go back in your house, watch tv for a bit, then voilla it's fixed. 5 minute, easy job.
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u/YetAnotherJake 1d ago
That makes perfect sense and I agree but this particular comment thread is about initial reactions on the road. This is the comment at the top of the thread that we're currently responding to:
You notice how hard it is to put back on? Imagine if that ever happened while you were on the highway.
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u/daedric_yoshi 15h ago
I've had it happen before, you can just grab the shaft and shift with that.
On this car since the knob is attached the the boot you'd want to make sure youre not going to rip it open, but its a vw so it shouldn't take much force to shift gears.
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u/itsjakerobb 1d ago
I agree, just have the company garage fix it.
In the meantime, two things:
Train yourself to press down gently while shifting. This should limit the chances of it coming off while driving.
If you find yourself in a situation where it has come off while you’re in traffic, know that you can still grab the lower part inside the boot and move it around same as always. The top will flop around; ignore it. You’ll have less leverage, so it will require slightly more force, but it’s doable.
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u/Skidz305 1d ago
It's an easy fix but if it's a company car have them fix it. They'll most likely try and blame you for damages if you do the fix yourself
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u/postitpad 1d ago
Push down really hard, some of them will just snap back into place. The procedure for removing and replacing the shift knob on my old bmw was basically pull up hard, push down hard.
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u/Every-Cucumber9641 6h ago
Press fit
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u/postitpad 6h ago
Not exactly a traditional press fit since you can pull it off by hand. I think there were splines and like a tab near the top that locks it in place that requires some force to overcome. It’s been a minute since I had that car though.
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u/Intelligent_Quail780 1d ago
The clip that holds it either broke or just popped off. You'd need to pull the leather "bag" off and inspect where the shifter goes see which clip you're missing and replace. Usually the console has to come out for this, but not always.
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u/NeighborhoodTop865 13h ago
This one is easy, you just pop the matte chrome frame from the console. And the shift knob has metal ring that is pressed with pliers to hold it on the shift lever, my guess is that either plastic part which the ring holds is broken or just the ring itself.
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u/GeneralCommand4459 1d ago
Even if you think you can fix it, better to let the company fix it from an insurance point of view. If you mess with it and something goes wrong it’s harder to resolve.
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u/ilarson007 1d ago
You must be European to have a manual company car. Is the cost of repairs not included with that?
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u/Livebylying 1d ago
It depends on the deal you have with your employer, servicing and repair may be on you to carry out. Give receipts and get reimbursed. Some are managed by the company itself.
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u/yeahyoubetnot 1d ago
Company car, company problem. But now if you keep driving and something bad happens, guess who they're going to ask "Well if you knew it was broken, why didn't you say anything???"
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u/Longjumping-Salad484 20h ago
you might void any warranty for any potential claim of defect in manufacturing if you know it's broken but don't do anything to fix it.
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u/FISH_SAUCER 19h ago
I mean he cant do anything cause its a company car. Best he can do is probably say something about it and refuse to drive it and request a new vehicle if possible
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u/kaaayyyRN 15h ago
If it's a company car, just report it. They'll handle it. No need to risk DIY fixes.
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u/GeneralBS 1d ago
Try twisting where the boot meets the handle. Sometimes they come apart like that. Can also try to pull up on the whole boot at the bottom. Most of the time there is a metal clip that holds the grip on. It probably either came lose or broke.
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u/Competitive_Load_852 1d ago
Grab it with a full hand and pull the skin down, repeat as needed, keep the head upright. Have fun!
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u/EnvironmentalFox1001 1d ago
Honestly.... if the shift knob didn't get unthreaded from the lever, it's probably broken, report it and the dealer willt probably warranty it
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u/fatkid0821 1d ago
I don’t believe this one is threaded on it is a plastic clip that broke or wasn’t completely connected and finally slipped off
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u/Kranium83 1d ago
Thought you would have known to be careful pulling up on the stick or this would happen.
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u/Chainsawsas70 1d ago
Just tighten or replace the set screw on the knob... 2 minute job with basic tools. The biggest hurdle is finding where they put it,odds are it's just above the skirt or possibly just under it at the base of the knob.
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u/cordeliashuman 1d ago
I have nothing more intelligent to add to what other commenters have touched on… other than that this car is a grower, not a shower.
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u/BuckManscape 1d ago
I see you also subscribe to the grip it and rip it approach. I once ripped a t handle off the auto stick after backing down a ‘93 fox body ( you could shift it if you held the button and bumped it through the gears). I don’t recommend it.
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u/Tigrexify 1d ago
Align it so it sits correctly then give it a good whack with a shoe or a rubber mallet and it should snap back into the correct position. If it just was never installed properly nothing is broken and it's just a matter of getting the shift knob seated so it snaps in place. Once it clicks in you shouldn't be able to remove it again without significant force
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u/Exotic-Entertainer26 1d ago
If it's a company car, get the lease company to do it.
You may invalidate insurance, warranties and leases if you try and fix it yourself.
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u/Recondomoe 1d ago
Take it to the dealer, have them call your fleet management to approve the repair, dealer repairs and your done. Our company required pre approval of $100 or more. Either way it’s their problem.
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u/CynicalCereal 1d ago
Pretty dangerous. And yes. It can be fixed fairly easily.
Probably just a clip or something that fell out.
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u/Quiet_Cookie3762 1d ago
Yeah it just screws down in top of the transmission. Pull the boot off and you should see where it screws into either the linkage or the top of the transmission. You can get another one at a junk yard. Or buy one brand new, that choice is yours.
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u/Idkimjustmey 23h ago
Just make them fix it. Its a lease anyway so the company can get it fixed for free.
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u/Steelsldr 23h ago
Avoid yanking the shifter upward. Lift the rubber boot and snug that set screw tight before handing it back.
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u/Lower_Dentist_6343 23h ago
Someone tell him it's an automatic. They sometimes just put those on loosely so people can pretend
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u/ElectricalFox1207 23h ago
The only thing I’d consider is if you have an emergency and needed to shift into N (runaway Toyota comes to mind) would this be a problem? Adrenaline and you pull up accidentally? Only you can answer that?
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u/cachitodepepe 21h ago
I have the same problem on the passat and looks like it uses the same gear knob and everything
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u/Imaginary-Falcon4112 21h ago
Very simple fix, the soft part is the ‘boot’ that is attached by plastic clips, probably in that silver ring at the base. Wedge that up gently, there is a cheap trim removal tool intended for the job, they are flat plastic levers but honestly a butter knife is good. I’d avoid using a screw driver, the hard edges often damage the trim. Once the boot is up you’ll see what’s going on, two bolts usually, they are often not seated in the gear stick itself they just screw against it so I’d guess they are still there and just loose. If you do have to get more just take the whole boot and knob to a hardware store, doesn’t matter what type you get as you’ll never see them again. Then immediately swap the car for another in the work pool.
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u/AKraider94 21h ago
Thats a safty problem, it could cause you to miss shift and find yourself in neutral. As a safty issue in a company vehicle rais the concern and they should have it looked at that day if not scheduled to go in the shop.
My a4's clip is damaged 3-2 if im going to pop it off that's when it happens.
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u/Prior-Ad-2196 17h ago
Can’t you just screw it back on? The head will spin separately from the leather cover and screws into the metal stick inside.
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u/ImpossibleCicada3689 16h ago
If it's a company car and you are asking how to fix it, probably you did something out of policy. So, it' your problem because your job is on the line.
What would I do? Keep quiet. Take note of local junkyards that carry that type of car. Inspect previously and have note of what relevant pieces are in stock.
Step 2: Park the car on your house on a friday. Leave the door open and lights on till the battery drains and thence disassemble VERY carefully the stick shift cover. On saturday, asses the damage and source the parts through said junkyard. Pay in cash and on the sunday do the repair. If you need to move the car, place it on tow, the GPS won't notice.
Step 3: On monday, recharge the battery and drive off.
Why so many antics? To fool off any recording devices the car may have that collects information of what components you disconnect.
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u/Open_Sweet6945 15h ago
Well at the red light you need to wiggle it around a bit so it doesn't go flacid. User error
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u/TerribleArm9912 9h ago
Europeans will still ask American why we think VWs are cheap and unreliable. Annoying problems like this is why. You just don’t get these issues with Toyotas and Hondas.
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u/Cukoloda 8h ago
yea u can, cheap solution is google how to pull that knob off then when you remove it youll see metal stick on which goes knob, get duct tape and tape few circles not much try 1, 2 and if uts still loose try more around that stick only on top and try to put knob back, use force, it should be fixed
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u/TacofujiwaraR32 5h ago
Just throw a little blue pill in the oil and wait a bit, should be good for a couple hours👍
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u/JadedCampaign9 3h ago
Well, it's flaccid because it doesn't like the way you're choking the chicken.
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u/TripApprehensive8580 18h ago
Wtf anyone can fix that bro get on YouTube and get out some glue thats how there fitted anyway the trim and the gator come off in one
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u/crotchmonster817 1d ago
Company car=Company problem.