Stubborn shift knob
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Stubborn shift ****
I puchased an aftermarket Hurst shift **** to put on my 2000 6-speed. There is a pin in the stock shifter that has to be removed before the stock shift **** can be removed. My son and I have yanked and pulled on this pin with vise grips, but to no avail. My question is simply this: how big a gorilla do I need to remove this pin? (Other hints would also be appreciated.)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,066
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From: Crofton MD
This is the demon key. Search demon key and you'll see you are a typical vette owner having trouble with a typical vette problem.
When I took mine out just about 5 days ago, I tried pulling on it with vice grips and everything, but I eventually found that with a sturdy flatblade screwdriver, and prying from underneath the side (there's a ledge underneath if you look closely for the screwdriver to get under and push up against), it will pull up without much force. I put a rag over the **** when prying up, so the screwdriver would not ruin it. Use it like a mini crowbar.
When I took mine out just about 5 days ago, I tried pulling on it with vice grips and everything, but I eventually found that with a sturdy flatblade screwdriver, and prying from underneath the side (there's a ledge underneath if you look closely for the screwdriver to get under and push up against), it will pull up without much force. I put a rag over the **** when prying up, so the screwdriver would not ruin it. Use it like a mini crowbar.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 247
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From: Duluth Georgia
Get a free paintcan opener from Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. It has a curved lip on it which fits under the small side ledge. Gently press down and the demon key slides right up and out. I've used the opener many times and it has worked every time.
A word of caution about vicegrips - while wonderful tools, if clamped too tight, the key metal can be damaged and if clamped too loose, the tool will slip off, go straight up, and damage the mirror, roof fabric, and, if you were really putting your back into it, dent the metal roof or break the glass top. Even putting a convertible top down first will not prevent SOMETHING from being damaged (like your hand/wrist/arm, etc).
A word of caution about vicegrips - while wonderful tools, if clamped too tight, the key metal can be damaged and if clamped too loose, the tool will slip off, go straight up, and damage the mirror, roof fabric, and, if you were really putting your back into it, dent the metal roof or break the glass top. Even putting a convertible top down first will not prevent SOMETHING from being damaged (like your hand/wrist/arm, etc).
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 2
I just replaced my stock **** with a C6 **** and I had the same problem. I even got my father to try to yank it out (he's a big guy) and he pulled on it until he was red in the face. It didn't budge one inch. Finally we used a screwdriver for leverage and it popped right out. That thing isn't going to come out by just pulling on it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 2
From: McKinney TX
Another easy way if you havent gotten it out yet..... drill a very small pilot hole into the key. Screw a small screw into that pilot hole. Grab a hammer, and flat piece of wood or metal as a base and use the hammer claw to fulcrum out the key.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,159
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From: Stillwater, OK
Well be careful at what ever method you choose. I used a flat blad screw driver and as I was trying to pry it out with all my might the damn blade slipped and the handle of the screw driver put a nick in the damn radio. 
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,311
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From: Near Philly PA
Still in there? Clamp some VICE GRIPS tightly onto the key. Then, protecting the **** with a towel, using a block of wood atop the ****, leverage the vice grips upward with a heavy duty screwdriver. Pull upward on the vice grips with one hand, and leverage the mouth of the vice grips with the screwdriver with the other hand.
-Kirk
-Kirk
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: St Marys GA
I tried unsuccessfully with the above methods managing only to chip hunks of metal from the demon key. My solution: small vise grips, but first get a 6-8 in bolt to replace the adjusting screw (1/4-20 in my case). Before inserting the bolt slip it through a flat washer & as big a socket as you can fit. You now have a slide hammer. Tighten vise grips on the key as tight as you can and pull the socket sharply upwards (in an obscene manner) a couple of times. Key will now pop out. Works better with extra hand 
DBD
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Take a pair of vice grips, clamp them down on the top of the key, then gently tap up on the side of the vice grip until the key pops out. Worked very well when i did mine.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 172
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From: West Des Moines Iowa
I used a small set of vise grips, a 9" piece of wood and a long heavyduty screwdriver. Check out my website for the details. It works great.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/mar...Pictures.shtml
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/mar...Pictures.shtml
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
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From: Jensen Beach FL
Originally Posted by Dave68
The best way I've found is to duplicate an impact driver/jackhammer - works every time:
Last edited by craig04c5; Apr 19, 2006 at 08:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Demon Key Removed!!
Thanks to everyone who replied. What worked for me was the vise grips and the hammer tapping upwards. The key slid right out and the new, white Hurst shifter **** is now in place.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 35,976
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From: San Clemente California
Originally Posted by mitchmark
I used a small set of vise grips, a 9" piece of wood and a long heavyduty screwdriver. Check out my website for the details. It works great.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/mar...Pictures.shtml
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/mar...Pictures.shtml
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