Removing shift lever: manual trans

[Crashmachine]

I was messing around with the shift lever in my car awhile ago, after getting the snap ring out of the way i wasnt able to just pull the shifter out of the trans.. Has anyone else had this issue. I imagine im going to have to use some force to get it out, but i dont want to break anything down there that im not going to be able to replace. So, before i give it hell i was wondering what is on the bottom of the shifter for those who have had there transmissions out. Is it just a plastic bushing? How did you guys get your shift lever out in a manual trans wagon?

[ARCHINSTL]

Do a Search using shift+lever; there are a number of recent threads on this.
OZ member gmeddy had a similar problem this year (he started a thread), but did not get back to us with his resolution (if he had one).
I think you and he are the only ones who've reported this problem.
Tom M.

[xirdneh]

i've never removed the spring clip to pull just the shifter
i have removed all the bolts on the top plate and removed the entire assy
all went well for years until the one i did recently
it was stuck
the plastic or nylon whatever that snaps on the end was stuck in there
i did not know what to do so i just pulled harder while prying the cover with a screwdriver
it popped free and nothing was damaged

[Petros]

I do not think you will damage anything, but if you can not free it with some hard upward pulls, you might try heating it.

Get a heat gun or small torch to heat the lower part of the shift lever (well below the boot). that should soften the plastic socket and allow it pull free. better count on replacing the plastic cup.