Removing front difflock switch

[PetenAli]

Following on from my earlier plea for help (met with great sympathy by Syncropaddy) I think I have all but got the dash removed so that I can replace the heater blower. The only thing in the way now seems to be the switch panel for difflocks and decoupler wich is screwed to the dash. I need to remove the knobs so that I can get the panel off and then unscrew the unit.

I confused matters earlier when Axeman got back to me so here is the definitive version of my question...

So far I have got the decoupler and rear difflock knobs off easily. What I can't figure out is how to get the front difflock knob off. It has a special mechanism to avoid accidental engagement of the front diff and so seems to have nothing to grasp with pliers to unscrew the knob as you do with the other two.

If anyone has got a quick idiot's guide then this idiot would be very grateful I have 20 days until we go on holiday to get this and a load of other stuff done - starting to sweat a bit.

Thanks,

Pete

[Aidan]

it should just unscrew, the plastic collar that stops you engaging it by mistake holds the shaft so it wont rotate, if it doesn't unscrew then chances are it's been locktited on -- you can prise the cap off and cut the knob to get it off, they are still available new from VW, it's a beetle part been in production since the 50s, I have them in stock

[jes*b]

Pete, i had the exact same problem with the panel van when i was chasing various wires. I got the rear lock knob off no probs but when the front lock knob didn't budge I started to over think it (i was worried about the 'mechanism' as well) In the end gave it a bit of welly and it unscrewed.

[PetenAli]

Thanks Aidan and Jes. The knob spins even when the switch is pulled and locked up. Looks like I'll have to give it some welly. I'll get onto it in the morning and report back.

[silverbullet]

Hope this isn't too late: Watch out for the little spring that goes #ping!#

(keep windows and doors shut to have a chance of catching it)

[PetenAli]

Thanks Ian - I think I know the one you mean. Hoping that I don't need to get that far in. I have got some other things to try but each time I get a few minutes to go out there its pouring with rain - like now Will conquer it though!