Review - Raceseng + Topologi Shifter Knob

[Frost]

Being that I didn't wind up buying the FRS/BRZ and went with a S2K instead, I still want to give some feedback on this forum for the service and product I received from Raceseng regarding their Topologi Shifter Knob and their subsequent response to my difficulty installing the knob.

Product Review: 9/10 - Topologi Shift Knob (Black Delrin cover)
The unit is much larger than I thought it would be but that wound up working alright. The grip is smooth but not slippery and the Delrin is a welcome change to the metal stock shifter with the leather stitching. The stitching on the original knob has hardened over the years and began cutting my hand every shift. The delrin stays cool and looks great and the knob flows in design and aethestics to the rest of the shift lever and almost looks stock with the rest of the car.

The unit core itself is truly a whole block of machined aluminum and weighs a decent amount over the stock knob. Fit and finish was great but the instructions were slightly confusing and thanks to my stupidity, I wound up getting the threaded nut stuck inside the knob. This leads me to my next review:

Service Review: 9/10
I went to the Raceseng website and hit the "Contact Us" button and fired off an email to them and within 48 hours, got a personal email from them with instructions and multiple ways to go if it didn't work. That was a class act!

Overall: Would buy from them again. In fact, I will be getting my GoPro front tow hook mount from them in the near future.

Frost

[Chad11491]

Originally Posted by Frost

got a personal email from them with instructions and multiple ways to go if it didn't work. That was a class act!

About to shoot an email off myself, what were the tips they gave you?

[Frost]

Originally Posted by Chad11491

About to shoot an email off myself, what were the tips they gave you?

Their exact words were:

"HOW TO GET THE ADAPTER OUT
- Harbor Freight sells a cheap "easy out" set which will help you extract the screw
- You can also hammer a large drill bit into the bottom of the adapter. Make sure the bit is embedded into the adapter. Then unscrew the adapter."

I just simple shoved a large screw driver into the unit so that half the screw driver head went into the threaded adapter. You gotta shove it in a little hard to get the screw driver head to form a tight fit with the threaded unit and then turn the unit out. It is possible that this will damage the lower thread a little but unless you hammer it in, it shouldn't be irreversible.

That's how I got it out.

[endless_pain]

They are also really good picking up the phone and taking their time when they do.
I don't buy from stores that never pick up or their voicemail says to send an email, I like good old fashioned customer service.

[Frost]

Originally Posted by Chad11491

About to shoot an email off myself, what were the tips they gave you?

Did you get it out? I feel your pain!

Frost

[Chad11491]

yes!! it took a LOT of force, and I felt like I was going to break the thing, but I got it out and all is good!

[raven1231]

I'm having this same problem lol the adapter is stuck. Tried pliers and everything else. Will be trying a large acre driver next.

[Frost]

Originally Posted by raven1231

I'm having this same problem lol the adapter is stuck. Tried pliers and everything else. Will be trying a large acre driver next.

Don't use pliers - simply shove a large screwdriver in and set it good and twist.

It'll get it out.

[raven1231]

Originally Posted by Frost

Don't use pliers - simply shove a large screwdriver in and set it good and twist.

It'll get it out.

Got it out today! Knob won't sit right though. Emblem is crooked, had to shove dimes in there to make it space right so the R logo is facing forward ha ha.

[BigFatFlip]

Same thing happened to me. Used the "large screw driver"tip others have mentioned and it worked. Word of caution though: it will mar up your threads, so be careful of sharp metal slivers and make sure to spin it on your shifter shaft a few times to get the threads straight and spinning smooth before proceeding.

[bobabreath]

So glad this thread exists! Same thing happened to me. If you over tighten the knob, the adapter screw will stay inside the knob.

I used a wide 3/8" inch screwdriver and got it out easily. But it did flatten some of the threads inside, so be careful not to crossthread when reinstalling.

[phm14]

I didn't think I needed directions for a shift knob, so I also did this. I put blue locktite on the shift lever threads (like the directions said to), let sit for 20 minutes, and the knob thread off, leaving the adapter on the lever. Clocked the shift gate pattern with the adjustment screw on top of the adapter, and all is well. Directions are on the Raceseng site...BTW, their reverse lockout replacement for the cheesy plastic one is very nice.