Im having trouble getting the car in and out of gear i think its the well known spring problem. I followed the instructions on here but the knob wont come off,the plastic washer thing inside the gator comes free down the shaft but gear knob refuses to move,instructions say beware it may fly up lol this one doesnt.

Try harder!

Putting the car in "N" position helps. It is a to get off. All of a sudden it'll just come off.

I really did pal was out there nearly an hour,i got to thinking theres something not quite right with it. Tried turning it both ways and it turned about 110 degrees,was pulling and pushing hard,will have a coffee and try it again.

Be careful , you can lose teeth doing it. My11 freelander 2, xs, Manual, 18" hse sparkles, sidesteps, privacy, zermatt silver metallic, almond nutmeg alacantra, twin electric towbar

Gone my09 xs D3

Do you know how much the plastic washer thing has to turn before coming off please ?

I have to say I don't, I have a manual, and am using disco3 knowledge on the auto. But on that you put 1 foot in either footwell get a good hold of the knob and pull straight up with every ounce of you're being, My11 freelander 2, xs, Manual, 18" hse sparkles, sidesteps, privacy, zermatt silver metallic, almond nutmeg alacantra, twin electric towbar

Gone my09 xs D3

SYFL2 wrote:

Do you know how much the plastic washer thing has to turn before coming off please ?

I'd say 1/4 turn clockwise if looking down on it. Pics speak a 1000 words and all that so here are a few pics of my one I took off recently.


Locked position


Unlocked position (so the lines are horizontal in order for it to pass a sprocket on the gear stick) In this pic it needs to be turned a bit more - it kept falling off when taking pic


In locked position from a different angle


Without the collar on.

Hope this helps!

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You see this is what forums are all about. There is always someone who has the info.  My11 freelander 2, xs, Manual, 18" hse sparkles, sidesteps, privacy, zermatt silver metallic, almond nutmeg alacantra, twin electric towbar

Gone my09 xs D3

AIIEEX really appreciate that thank you.

You're welcome mate

I was also going to suggest that you should buy a new gear knob regardless. The spring does go and it's a lot easier just to exchange it, especially if you do manage to finally take the old one off.

~£24 from Duckworths.

Dan was a Godsend put new gear knob on this morning,i found this easier,lift up plastic trim around gear shroud put car in N,pull trim right up around top of gear knob,turn plastic washer straight foreword being 12o'clock,grip washer with cloth turn clockwise to 2 o'clock it should drop down. Gear knob is supposed to shoot off but mine took some serious pulling and pushing to remove,fit new knob and push top of gator around base of knob,pull up washer in 2 o'clock position and turn to 12 o'clock.pull down gator and press trim back in. Thanks for help guys and thanks again Dan at Duckworths.