Hi All,

We're in desperate need of some help. We bought a used 740 2.0 GL 5-speed manual last week, and I decided to spend today finishing off a few things with it.

Anyway, the gear knob came off during the week, so I decided to superglue it back on, but now the glue trickled down the gear stick and the reverse selector won't move. So basically there's no way I can get reverse gear anymore.

HELP! What can I do?

I notice that at the bottom of the gear stick is a little screw, so does this mean the gearstick can be safely removed and a replacement fixed onto it?

What options are available to me and how much is it going to cost?!

I'm a little embarassed about this. I can't believe I'm this stupid...

Hope someone can help!

Simon.

Try the options allready mentioned. If you do need to replace the stick, it's pretty easy. Near the base of the chrome section of the stick is a rubber gromet sticking out of the stick. Use a small punch and drive out the roll pin that holds the stick halves together. Now simply slip the chrome section up and off of the bottom piece. There are rubber bushings inside so it will offer some resistance, but should come off fairly easily.

Hi Bill,

Here is a picture of my gearstick.

When you say rubber gromet, do you mean the black thing in the picture? Is it possible to simply bang it out?

What would happen if I unscrewed the screw at the bottom of the picture, or would that just cause a whole lot of other problems?

The acetone really hasn't worked, so I just don't know what to do.

Many thanks,

Simon.

If you truly used super glue, you can dissolve it with acetone. Years ago, acetone was used a fingernail polish remover, but perhaps not know. You can buy acetone at the hardware store.

Also, super glue will soften with heat -- a bit higher temperature than our skin can normally stand, but not much higher. You should be able to "melt" super glue using a hot air-type heat gun. However, once it cools, it hardens again.

If you glue two parts together, you can free than in boiling water.

In fact, "super glue" isn't really so super.
--
Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

hehe, what about krazy glue? i've found krazy glue to be much stronger than any types of super glue. :-)
--
Kenric Tam
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'

hehe, same krap.
--
Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

Hehe would you believe the active ingredient that sets off super glue is moisture in the air?

Hot water will remove it eventually, but a ladies hot air hair dryer will work.

In fact once super glue activates, it begins to degrade(naturally over a long period of time) caused by water vapor in the air.

Hehe, actually high pH activates super glue, hehe.

"Hot water will remove it eventually, but a ladies hot air hair dryer will work..."

You need to get to around 170-175 degrees F. This will raise blister or hurt like hell. A hair drier -- men's or women's -- will do, a hot air gun will do much quicker. I use a soldering gun (I bet that's a surprise).
--
Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

Hi Don,

Thanks for the tip, I've just bought some nail polish remover (with Acetone) from a local shop. I've applied it in considerable amounts and although there is already a slight improvment hopefully by the morning it might work again.

In case it doesn't, does anyone know how easy it is to replace a gearstick?

Many thanks,

Simon.