I replaced my TSX lock knob with a '02+ VW Passat door lock knob. Works awesome. $2 or so. Original Acura part rides in Not An Ashtray.

 

First, great job Lurch!

Two questions, for all:

> How tightly threaded were the knobs before the mod? I twisted to the point of concern. I didn't want to break something and end up with an expensive problem. Maybe I'm just doing something stupid for the first time ever.

> Given knob rattle comments referenced elsewhere: Any hope of the mod helping in this regard? I.e., would the rattle be helped by some goop or weak loctite on reassembly?

 

Sorry this may be a stupid question but i need to clairfy.

THis is purly a comfort mod, this does nothing to fix the rattles?
And is it possible to fix the rattles with a mod on this mod?

Crazy! THanks guys

 

Right. This has nothing to do with the rattles.

 

I never had any rattles on the lock knob......and still don't after mod Lets see some pics of those passat knobs!!!

 

hondagain- try a little harder....it wont break its just on there real tight! Loc-tite is not required

 

Help.
I took my knob off and now can't get the knob back onto the threaded rod. The rod sort of rests on the outside of the hole -- making impossible to center.

Ideas?

 

All you have to is tilt the top of the knob towards yourself....this angles the bottom of the knob towards the tip of the threaded rod.

 

Whether or not you do this mod, you may find it helpful to keep a center punch in your glove box or armrest. In an emergency you can use it to break through the glass without cutting yourself.

A friend of mine had a '87 Thunderbird with locks that look/act exactly like the TSX's post mod. He got into an accident after falling asleep late at night. He and his girlfriend could not get out of the car because it lost power as a result of the crash. They were fine, but not being able to get out really shook them up at the time. I was surprised because other Fords that I have been in will unlock the door when you pull on the handle. This model did not.

 

I finally got to it this week, called my local Volksvagen parts dept, ordered the Passat knobs ($4.14 incl tax for a pair). This left me enough money to to buy a stamp to send the knobs to BrandonK, if it didn't work :p But, it did. Thanks to BK for the tip and to Lurch in getting me started on this
I did this just as the black out hit at ~ 4:15 pm yesterday. I thought it was a bad omen as I unscrewed the knob, all the lights in the VW delaership went out, and ppl started coming out.

The VW knobs are slimmer than the TSX ones, so they don't fill in the hole as much, and they recede below the hole.
***tip: remove the sleeve first before screwing the new ones in, it makes it a lot easier.

Here some pix with it locked and unlocked.
This definitely deserves the cheap mod of the month award

 

Thanks Visorboy!

With the "VW" knob unlocked I can now rest my elbow on the door. I just drive with the driver's door unlocked and the other three locked.

It's the little details that matter to me...

Power on dude!

 

huh, would't u want it locked so it is down and does not pertrude into your arm?

 

Either way (locked or unlocked) is comfortable for me with the VW part installed. For me, it's more comfortable than the factory knob in its locked position.

 

Nice work Ken Did you do the back doors too? Cause if it was my car the mismatched knobs would bug the hell out of me

 

nah, I'm happpy with just the front ones.
gee, we TSX owners are damn picky :p

 

Anybody have the modified knobs that can post a pic? Im thinking about doing this and wanted to see some pics.. Thanks

 

Does anyone have the diagram of the said area?

Anyone recently done this?


Maybe we can get a DIY from someone who has done it (with pics) and throw it up in the FAQs?

 

Just did it this morning. Not trying to be an ass or anything but lurch's instructions are about as easy as it's going to get as far as DIY stuff goes. Only thing is a little tip to help you out. If you use a grinder to sand down the bottom, your going to have to redrill the hole a little as the plastic will heat up and melt a bit and cover the hole up. Just use the same 5/32 bit Lurch suggested and clean it up a tiny bit. Personally, if i had a hack saw i would have rather used that then a cutting wheel on an air tool. Would have been cleaner cut.

I took into consideration the whole " I can't grab the knob to unlock the door from the inside so this may be a safety issue" thing and made the pass. side flush and the drivers side just enough I can grab it and lift it if I need to. The rears are staying the same for the simple fact they don't need to be changed.

Anyways, thanx Lurch for the idea, it was always annoying but not once did i even slightly think about cutting them.

 

I don't think you'd be a very happy man when your driver side door actuator breaks and will not open your door. You'd have to scoot over to the passenger side and get out that way.

 

can't you still manually unlock the door by pulling up on the knob? if so, i left enough to grab onto and unlock the door. If it still won't unlock even manually then having the door lock knobs cut wouldn't matter anyways.

 

maybe i didn't clarify, it's only flush when it's locked, if it's unlocked it still sticks up

 

the only problem i see, is that if you lock your keys in the car, the tow truck guy is going to have a harder time unlocking the door.