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Best replacement shift knob/lever for 2004 intrepid?

1K views 15 replies 6 participants last post by  fast 
#1 ·
I just recently bought a 2004 intrepid SE with 42000 miles, and the only issue I have with it currently other then minor cosmetic flaws is the shift knob is very loose, and it makes me worry that it will move on its own while i'm driving. Does anyone have any recommendations on a universal replacement, or know any good replacements from other cars?
 
#2 · (Edited)
Nice low miles. Congratulations!

Perhaps you don’t know this, but there is a set screw with machined tip (cylindrical), smaller diameter than its threads. The head end of the set screw points towards the front of the car. The cylindrical tip of the screw fits into a perfectly sized hole in the shifter shaft and perfectly locates the knob. If the set screw loosens, the knob will be loose but the knob won’t come off the shaft until the screw is loosened enough that the cylindrical tip clears the locating hole in the shaft.

Could it be that the knob is fine, and you just need to tighten the screw? I forget if the screw head accepts an Allen wrench or torx bit - sorry - I used to know which and the size. Put your parking brake on (chock wheels if needed), turn the key to the run position (engine off), and pull the shifter back to the ‘L’ or autostick position (depending on if your car has autostick or not) to make room for the tool to tighten the screw. A flashlight helps find the screw and insert the tool.

If that is your problem, that is your zero-cost solution.

EDIT: I just did a search. Shift knob screw is torx 15.
 
#4 ·
Is it the knob that's loose on the Rod/Shift Lever or the entire shift lever is loose in the the shifter mechanism below? Do you have an original shift knob to begin with?

These are all original shift knobs for a 2nd gen LH car (1998-2004). Middle is the Chrome version found on 2001 300M and LHS cars. They fit 1998-2004.

 
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#6 ·
Most likely would have to get the whole shifter assembly. Should be able to find a used one pretty cheap in a yard. You have an SE so no AutoStick. Should be a ton of them out there.
 
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#7 ·
#8 ·
And I'm assuming you have a floor shifter correct? Not a column mounted shifter up by the steering wheel?
 
#9 ·
If you get one from a salvage yard, it needs to be from an ‘02 thru ‘04. There were changes in how the shifter cables attach to the shifter assembly starting with ‘02 model year. (Actually you can use one from before ‘02 - you just have to swap the bases of the shifter assemblies, as all the changes for the cable attachment details are in the base. Not difficult to swap the bases - some screws - 4 I think.)
 
#10 ·
Thanks for all the helpful responses! I think I will check out a salvage yard, but I don't think I'll find anything their because intrepids seem to be very rare in my area. If not I'll see about purchasing the full assembly. But before I go spending some money I gotta get my check engine light fixed lol.
 
#11 ·
An important question: Is it hard to move the shifter thru the gear selections?

If so, the cable may be corroded and stiff, which puts stress on the pivot pin that attaches the shifter shaft to the shifter base. It should be easy to move the shifter thru the gear selections with almost no resistance other than that coming from the built-in detent mechanism. The cable design was improved to prevent it rusting starting in ‘01 or ‘02, so it is unusual for the later year LH’s to have that corroded/stiff cable problem. But it is also unusual for the shifter to get loose like that unless the cable is causing you to have to apply a lot of force to move the shifter. However, if your shifter moves easily thru the gear selections, forget this post - something else caused the problem. On the other hand, if the shifter is hard to move, you will need to replace the cable (unless someone already replaced it but not before damaging the shifter)
 
#14 · (Edited)
OK. “Loose” as in it wiggles around from side to side, or rotates, is bad. “Loose” as in it’s very easy to move it fore and aft to change the gear selection, but it only moves in a straight line for that, is good. It sounds like you would be good to just replace the shifter assembly.
 
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