Climate Control Rubber Knobs

porterbrown · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:54 pm Post subject: Climate Control Rubber Knobs

Anybody know of a source for just the rubber knobs? So far I've only found the knobs connected to the arms.

Just so that I'm clear, these rubber knobs come off to remove the control faceplate, correct? I've pulled them off a few times and they won't stay on that great at this point.

Thanks!
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'90 Westfalia GL Automatic

IdahoDoug · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:58 pm Post subject:

I *think* you can put these on upside down and the little grabber thing in the knob won't hold on as well. If not your problem, try a dab of silicone to give them better grip. You might not find any knobs alone for sale, just the whole units.

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

syncromike · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 9:15 pm Post subject:

I just pulled my dash and had a similar issue with one of them. On closer inspection I think the rubber knobs were intended to stay attached and the plastic arm should come off of the metal lever. However, after twenty-odd years I think the plastic has become hard and brittle and won't flex to come off the dimple on the lever that holds them on, but the glue that held the rubber tip to the plastic no longer holds as well and is now the weak link.
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'91 Syncro w/ Country Homes PopTop

syncrodoka · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:31 pm Post subject:

VC sells them.
I have seen them in the classifieds before as well. There are ones that face up and others that face down.

They pull straight off for removal, knob and plastic sleeve.

davideric9 · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 11:07 pm Post subject:

And I think there are at least 4 different versions of these levers

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

AdrianC · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 2:31 am Post subject:

davideric9 · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 6:05 am Post subject:

Interchangeable to a degree, some face up and some face down, so to the OP make sure you get the ones that you need. PM me if you would like to get the correct ones from the pix above......or not.
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1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

SteelB12 · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 7:30 am Post subject:

Broke one of mine last time I messed around with the dash. Crying or Very sad

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1987 Westy

joetiger · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 7:32 am Post subject:

The older, wider version is MUCH more stout than the newer ones. I've broken all of the flimsier newer ones and have replaced them with the old style.
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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

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davideric9 · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 8:55 am Post subject:

I think the trick to removing them without breaking is to use needle nose pliers and grab and pull on the flat section behind the actual knob. Pulling on the knob gets you in trouble. Also a little heat from a blow drier will soften them up a little and make them more maliable.
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1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

ragnarhairybreeks · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 9:10 am Post subject:

To add to David's good advice is when you are pulling with the pliers, brace your pulling hand so that when they come free the amount of movement is limited. Otherwise there is a risk of the lever pulling out suddenly and catching on the face plate - and cracking the face plate.

I little bit of grease on the sliders will make re-insertion and subsequent removal a bit easier.

Notice that some of the rubber knobs have raised dots on them, I suppose it is to ID them by feel.

alistair
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'86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com


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