My friend said to just twist it off and I tried to no avail. I read online and someone said to wrap a rag/towel around the shift **** and twist with vise grips. WOW terrible idea. Seemed like after a bit of twisting with the ol' hands the leather just twisted and not the ****. So I got the vice grips and the towel and got to work. I've pretty much ruined the shift ****. the part facing the dash has a small cut/tear and the rest has leather finish rubbed off and vice marks. I'm pretty pissed. I just want to take it off check out the threads and put it back on until I found A **** I liked. I was able to get the **** straight again but the only way I see this **** coming off is me completely destroying it.

Can anyone give me an idea what to do.

Tim

It's a 96 and it the original shifter. (could be seized, made a pop like sound when I was able to get turns on the ****)

 

towel and strap wrench. it can be removed without damage, it just takes some strength and patience.

 

... or a towel and a pipe wrench...

 

lol, you only get the wrench marks from not protecting it enough, did you use like a hand towel so you had one layer of fabric between it? lol. its supposed to be cushioned.

 

It was a terry cloth that I folded over a few times. I think I need a bigger pair of vice grips cuz they wouldnt stop slipping. A strap wrench huh, I think I was looking for a pair but couldn't find em'. I tried a bigger pair or pliers but they didnt work. I guess I'll look for a new **** and when I get it man up of that stock one.

Tim

 

I know exactly what you mean. When I bought mine some kid tore the **** up trying to get it off and left the metal core(see pic). I had to use a large set of vice grips to force it off. I ended up stripping some of the thread but after I put on the new shift **** it comes off pretty easy. If push comes to shove, I say use a vice grip on it. Especially if you are going to replace it.

 

I had to use a plumbers wrench and 2 towels. I also put electrical tape on the teeth of the wrench.

 

Tape good idea. I'm going to search for ***** and hopefully order one.

 

You want me to hold your purse while you give it another try? hahahahaha

Couldn't help it. Sorry.

Sometimes it's like things are welded together. Sometimes it takes destroying something to get it off because of cross threading, or age.

Good luck.

I would just tear it off using my largest pair of channel locks, and lob it in the trash with the ramen noodle baggies, and empty beer bottles. Call it a day.

 

HAHA ^^^ That was a pretty funny post I guess I have to ask my girl for my pants back the next time I give it a try. =)

Tim