Control knobs and handles

How knobs attach

Knobs usually screw onto a threaded lever, push onto a plain or splined rod, or are held by a set screw or pin. The attachment decides whether a replacement will fit, so it matters more than the outside shape.

For threaded knobs, identify the thread with a thread gauge or by checking a matching nut. Never force a knob onto a thread it was not made for.

What we will and will not make

Knobs and handles that only operate a control are good candidates for reproduction. Parts that lock or retain safety-critical components, such as steering shaft lock knobs, are documented here but not reproduced.

Where a cheap, correct reproduction is already sold, PorkForge points you to it rather than duplicating it.

Common problems

Plastic knobs tend to split along the threaded insert, or the insert starts to spin inside the knob. Rubber knobs and grips harden and crack with age. On threaded levers, a replacement with a moulded-in metal insert usually outlasts an all-plastic one.

If the original had a shift pattern or a symbol moulded into the top, photograph it clearly. Some reproductions are plain, and we will say so on the part page.

What to measure before you request one

• Thread size or bore diameter, and the depth of the bore
• Diameter of the lever or rod the knob fits
• Overall height and maximum diameter of the knob
• Any flat, spline or pin hole on the lever, and its position
• Clear side-on photos to capture the profile, with a ruler in shot

See how to measure a part for tools and photo tips.