Club Touareg Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Shift handle installation help

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
H

Hammerdog

· Registered
Joined
·
388 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
I replaced my shift indicator cover because it was peeling. In order to replace it, I had to remove the shift handle. You have to pry off a small cover plate, remove a pin, then remove the handle.


I replaced the shift indicator cover without any problem, but now I cannot get the shift handle back on correctly.

You have to have the thumb button out in order to reinstall the shift handle. I have pulled the button out and tried to reinstall the handle, but the button just goes back in when i put the handle back on.

Until i correctly install the shift handle, i will be unable to drive the vehicle. Can anybody help me with this problem. I am afraid of damaging the stem if i force the handle on.
 
#2 ·
Volkswagen > Touareg > 2004-2007
6 Speed Automatic Transmission 09D All Wheel Drive
37 - Selector mechanism, servicing
Selector lever handle, removing and installing
Selector lever handle, removing
Image

  • To ensure the handle is not damaged adhere to this sequence:




  • Pry out selector.




  • Remove bracket from handle.
Image

  • Pull button passed pressure point until it is locked in position.
Image

  • Then detach handle from selector lever
 
#3 ·
Selector lever handle, installing
Image

  • If the handle is replaced, do not remove assembly aid from the new handle under any circumstances!
Image

  • If the button is inadvertently pressed into the handle, hold handle vertically and at the bottom (!). Carefully blow button outwards again using compressed air until it can be pulled out over pressure point by hand.
 
#4 ·
  • Re-install assembly aid - A - (enclosed with new handle).
Image

  • Push in clip.
Image

  • Press selector into handle again.
Image

  • Place selector lever in position "N" .
Image

  • I Guide sleeve carefully through cover strip and cross slide lying underneath.
Image

  • Make certain that the sleeve is carefully guided through the cover strip when inserting. If carelessly pushing sleeve in, the cover strip will break.
Image

  • II - Install handle lengthwise until stop, then turn.
Image

  • Installation position: Button facing driver.
Image

  • III - Press handle on selector lever up to stop until it engages noticeably.
Image

  • Remove assembly aid - A - , operate switch and remove sleeve upward.




  • Remove protective foil on adhesive surface and affix label - arrow - .
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Thanks for instructions.....i tried all that....still no luck, the button will not stay in the open postion after i install it.....

I have a new handle on order which comes with the assembly aid, so hopefully, that will solve my problem.

I may have damage the handle when i removed it because i did not remove it exactly like your posted instructions.....("Pull button passed pressure point until it is locked in position")
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
I received a new shift handle today form 1stvwparts.com. It came with a plastic installation clip, which holds and locks the button into place when you reinstall.

It installed without a problem. I am not sure whether I damaged the old handle when I removed it or if the button was not out far enough on the old handle. At any regard, it is fixed and I will not remove the handle again because of the difficulty in reinstalling it.

For info, when you reinstall the handle, you replace the locking u shaped pin, then place the handle on the spindle with the button on the handle pointed toward the rear of vehicle. (90 degrees) Push the handle down until it stops, then turn counterclockwise so the handle is in correct position. (180 degrees with button pointed toward driver)

Push down on the handle until it clicks into place. Then push the button slightly in and out until you feel it engage the spindle. Remove the install clip, which holds the button out and you are done. :joy:
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
I saved the install tool and put it in my glove box.... the interesting thing is the install tool fits around the button, and a small plastic pin inserts into a hole on the inside edge of the button and holds it open...that was on the new handle

When I checked the old handle, there was no hole on the inside edge to insert the pin in..... so they may have upgraded the handle since 2004 or maybe the 2004 handle could only be factory installed.....

At any regard, I kept the tool and will post a photo of it if anyone wants to see what the install tool looks like....
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
This is the tool which comes with the handle to keep the button in the open position. The left end of the handle fits around the handle button. There is a small hole in the button which is kept open when you insert the small pin on the tool around the handle button.
 

Attachments

#12 ·
Shifter handle advice

I had the same problem installing my handle. Here's what I did, in case it helps anyone.

To start, I had just yanked mine off without thought when replacing my shifter cover, so the button was pressed in. I read through the various threads on the special tool or having the dealer take care of it.

Anyway, I used a small Nerf-style dart with a suction cup on the end to pull the button out. While holding the button out, I wrapped duct tape around the button, letting me pull it with decent force. Now, no matter how hard I pulled, the button wouldn't come out all of the way. I could see inside the shifter stalk and see the lever that wasn't fully retracting. I also tried pushing the lever with a screwdriver and a stiff piece of wire with no luck. After messing with this for 1/2 hour, I hit the jackpot.

Hold the shifter with the button pointing towards the ground and the button pressed in. (With my duct tape in place I was able to do move the button in and out without problem). Insert my stiff wire with a little hook on the end. Get the hook behind the lever. At the same time, pull out the button and pull on the lever. You will be able to pull the button out quite far and notice the lever retracting farther than before. Doing both simultaneously seems to be the magic trick. I had previously pulled on the button with pliers and it would not retract the lever. Once I was able to get the button this far out, I simply held it in this position and put the shifter handle back in place. Once I got the hang of it, I could retract the button at will (as the first attempt or two I didn't get the shifter handle in far enough and had to do this a couple more times to get it right).

Again, hope this helps someone. I was fretting having to buy a new handle or make the trip to the dealer. In the end, all of the fun was because 2 pennies had fallen into the rolling shifter cover and totally f-ed it up.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
I spilled something caustic on my shifter cover and did some damage to the cover so I ordered a new cover. The bad part about replacing the shifter cover is you have to remove the shift handle to replace the cover. Removing the shift handle is easy, but putting it back on is a PITA. I last replaced my handle on my old 04 Touareg back in 2008. I kept the install clip from the last time I had to do this.

Because of the difficult time I had last time I did this; I reread this thread and am glad I did. The tip tomjt1 posted about using the hook to pull out the button made the reinstall of the handle easier. I ended up using a piece of a hanger to pull on the lever inside the handle to pull the button out.

Once the button was pulled all the way out, I was able to put the install clip over the button to keep the button held out in position. The button has to all the way out before you can install the handle.

I attached a photo of the damaged cover; install clip and hanger wire you need to use to pull out the button.


I was able to install the new shifter cover and replace the handle in about 10 minutes this time around. :p

Image
 
#14 ·
install shift handle

I have a 2004 treg and there is a very easy way to put this handle on without buying anything. To get the handle off you pry off the vertical plate on the shift handle from the top down. You'll see a U-clip, pry that out and the handle will lift off. Just be careful with everything you do so you do not damage. Forcing things will cost you. Study things and try an understand what is going on so when time to install it all makes sense.

Keep in mind the thumb button, when you depress it you push a lever into a slot of a plastic stem lifting this stem to unlock the gear selector. The issue of re-installing this handle is to get the thumb button back to the non-depressed and yet even further out than normal position. In fact, you can look down into the underside of the handle with a flashlight and see this lever I am talking about, the problem is that there is a lock pin that will not allow this lever to go back far enough to get past the slot on the plastic stem.

So here is what you do. The chrome cap on the opposite of the thumb button, pry that off careful. You can do it without leaving a blemish if you are careful. You'll than see another black plastic cap with a spring holding it in place. Careful lift that cap out but DO NOT take the spring off. Just lift the cap out with the spring attached using a small flat blade screwdriver so you can stick your finger in there and depress the button under the cap with the spring. You will see the thumb button come real far out. So do what I have just described when you have the entire handle over the shift stem but before you push the shift handle on all the way. When you push the button under the right side cap with the spring, the lever inside returns back and allows you to lower the entire handle all the way. Be sure to put the black cap w/spring on in the same rotation or it will hit the underside of the chrome cap and not allow the thumb button to depress fully to unlock the mechanism. I learned this all the hard way. I never broke or blemished a single component but it did take a while to learn it. Right now I could go out and take the shift handle off and re-install in realistically less than 10 minutes and you'd never know I did it
 
#15 ·
I took off the cover plate and removed the u-pin on the shifter but that is it. Now the u-pin will not go back in and I want it to? Any thoughts or help please? I do not need to replace the handle as the issue is with the brake pedal switch or battery (I think- working on both now).
 
#16 ·
the pin will go back in but you just need to wiggle the handle a little while taping on the pin so the pin aligns with the pin holes. Every time I had mine off it was the same thing, just have to get them to line up, no biggie!
 
#18 ·
To get off is to easy just look at it and u will figure it out after u remove the plate in the front.

Now, to put it back, i did this, and turned very simple. Get the button out some how, non scratching methods like glues and duct tape will work, u will need to overextend the button out till it goes no more, it will be out about the double as usual. In that position place the handle back in to the shifter and make sure it has gone all the way down, now just release the button, it should stay out on its normal position.

Explanation why: the shifter has a trigger like mechanism inside, fully pressed (as the spring leave it) the hammer is further down than the shifter's hole in the plastic part for the trigger. Over extending the button open makes the hammer cock all the way to the side inside the shifter cover allowing for the shifter cover to go down properly and the hammer go trough the whole in the shifter. If u dotn know if u have pulled the button out enough, look inside the shifter and if the hammer is not on the side (fully open button) u r not pulling on it enough. U can c the hammer at the bottom if u look when it is fully depressed.
 
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
About this Discussion
20 Replies
10 Participants
Last post:
Mark Long
Club Touareg Forum
posts
784K
members
105K
Since
2003
Club Touareg Forum is a forum community dedicated to Volkswagen Touareg owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about VW Touareg Sport Utility Vehicles and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Maintenance & Repair Australia & New Zealand Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Wheels and Tires Mobile Electronics and In Car Entertainment General Touareg Discussions