How do i remove gear knob and gaiter on 2005 vw passat

If it's the original knob then you have to remove the gaiter housing (the leather thing around the stick for novices) as the knob extends to under the gaiter and no amount of pulling will remove it without doing this first. It's easy to remove just by lifting from the long edges first and it slips out. The gaiter is secured into the middle of the bottom of the knob by a zippy tie that you have to cut. You can then just pull the whole knob up with a little bit of force but it slips up revealing a white plastic shaft

that is simple.

the shift knob is threaded on to the shift lever and you need to rotate it counterclockwise to remove. the gaiter is held in place with the trim ring that is attached by 4 clips in the corners. using a couple of popsicle sticks (or other thin, protected tool, so not to damage the wood trim, etc) you can get under the corner of the gaiter surround and gently pry upward. see illustration.

hope this helps

unscrew the shift knob ( rotate CCW) . remove the gaiter surround by gently prying up (use popsicle sticks or the like) at the 4 corners to remove the 4 clips

Hi. you pull the trim up at the leather insert.Disconnect the wire. Lift the black plastic shaft lock, pull the silcver button out and while holding the button out pull the lever up. It can be quite hard.

Pull up the leather boot at the console. It's just clipped in and can be pried up with your fingers. The boot is wrapped around a plastic ring that snaps into the console. Pull the boot up and get access to the bottom of the knob. You will have to pry open the one time use crimp ring with a small screwdriver or awl. Then pull off the knob. Use a small hose clamp as a replacement.

It is held on by a clip which is crimped
To see,un clip gaiter and pull up over gear stick
Loosen clip with small screw driver untill gear knob comes off

you cant remove from the outside unless you cut a hole in the door.

work back from the rear, the center console is fitted last and works throughto the front, normally spring clips and screws hidden under bits like gear gaiter coveer

The manual knobs are on there really tight but they're just twisted on. You need to turn like crazy on it to get it loose. You can wrap a towel around it and use channelock pliers or a big wrench if need be.

The clip seems to be a use once and destroy during removal. I used a nylon tie and the home mechanics friend (duct tape) to fasten the new gaiter. Not perfect but quite usable and avoided a trip to the dealer.