I removed the old knobs and the small metal piece that is seated inside of the knob that stays behind when the knob was removed. Mine slipped off easily, but if they don't you can use needle nose pliers to grab and remove them. I placed the new knobs on in no time flat. The new knobs make the oven look a little sharper. I hate that these knobs are made of plastic and not metal. GE should do a better job at this.