Chrome Shifter Handle woes

[BrianB]

I'm trying to get the chrome handle off so I can pull my transmission out, but the handle seems impossible to remove. I have followed the write up that was posted here, but I can't seem to get any screwdriver, no matter how small, up under the chrome handle. I seem to hit something solid where the rubber grommet should be. Is there something I am missing? I have been at this for days and I am really frustrated...

Thanks in advance.

Brian
79 CS2

[vandor]

If you look you should see a small plastic thing sticking out from the bottom of the chrome piece.
It is a plastic ring that has 6 fingers that go up into the chrome piece. It is the rightmost piece in this pic:

http://www.autoricambi.us/product/TR5-4 ... shing-Kit/

You need to get a small screwdriver between two of those fingers, and pry it down. It should be pretty easy.
Once that is out you can remove the shifter by pulling straight up.

[BrianB]

I got the little bottom piece off. I think the PO put it on backwards, so it came right out. So I'll try to just pull it off. It seems to be on there pretty good, but I'll try...

Wish me luck!

BB

[BrianB]

Been pulling with all my might, but it won't come off. I've tried hitting it will a hammer to knock it off, but no joy. It spins, but won't come off. Any suggestions? I am at the end of my rope.

Who the hell came up with this idea to hold the shifter handle on? Was it "free wine day" in Turin when they thought this one up???

UGH

BB

[azruss]

It requires that bottom piece to lock the the upper shaft on. If it was on backward, the PO may have glued the upper shaft on.

[dmwhiteoak]

If I was in your shoes this is what I would do. Since your pulling transmission anyway, take the 3 bolts off the cover plate
directly under the shifter and take the whole lot out. Under the plate is the nut that holds the shifter , just keep up with the
cups and other hardware.

[ventura ace]

Been pulling with all my might, but it won't come off. I've tried hitting it will a hammer to knock it off, but no joy. It spins, but won't come off. Any suggestions? I am at the end of my rope.

Who the hell came up with this idea to hold the shifter handle on? Was it "free wine day" in Turin when they thought this one up???

UGH

BB

I have to laugh, because I've done the same thing, until I learned how it is fastened. It's really very simple to take the extension off, when you know how. The analogy is like opening a door -- you turn the knob to open the door. Try to pull or push the door with all your might, and it ain't gonna open until you turn the doorknob first. Same thing with the extension, it is latched. You have to unlatch it before it can be pulled off. To unlatch it, insert a couple of very small screwdrivers (or allen wrenches, or similar) on opposite sides, down underneath the extension into the plastic fingers of the latching fastener on the bottom of the extension, then pry the fastener downward by pulling up on the small tools. The fastener pops out easily, and the extension comes right off.

Alvon

[BrianB]

Alvon,

I already got the locking ring off, the PO actually put it on backwards so it wasn't even attached to the chrome. It seems like the shifter is jammed or glued on...

Thanks,

BB

[BrianB]

Victory is mine!

After days of hitting the chrome shifter handle with a dead blow hammer, it finally came loose. The rubbed grommet on the plastic insert was so old it had turned to a sticky black goop that was strong like iron. The insert came out in a couple of pieces, but the rubber grommet/bushing held on for dear life until the bitter end.

Now, on to the engine and tranny pull!

Thanks Guys!

Brian