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Replacing OEM Shift Knob.....

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Old Jan 24, 2008 | 05:23 PM
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Default Replacing OEM Shift ****.....

I just bought an aftermarket shift **** a couple of days ago, figured it would be an easy install, right? Wrong! I went on Vette essentials website and read the directions, seemed pretty straight foward and simple but it wasnt The hardest part is getting the metal flange out of the stock shifter! I consider myself a pretty stronge guy but, know matter how much muscle I used, the thing would not move!.I ended up just drilling the darn thing out!

Can anyone tell me what purpose the flange serves? I know in most cars there's a locking screw or they just simply screw on and off. Has anyone else rencounterd this problem?
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Old Jan 24, 2008 | 05:31 PM
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Its so the **** doesnt twist. All you have to do is put vise grips on it and tap it out. OOPS! too late.
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Old Jan 24, 2008 | 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Rick_Rossi
I just bought an aftermarket shift **** a couple of days ago, figured it would be an easy install, right? Wrong! I went on Vette essentials website and read the directions, seemed pretty straight foward and simple but it wasnt The hardest part is getting the metal flange out of the stock shifter! I consider myself a pretty stronge guy but, know matter how much muscle I used, the thing would not move!.I ended up just drilling the darn thing out!

Can anyone tell me what purpose the flange serves? I know in most cars there's a locking screw or they just simply screw on and off. Has anyone else rencounterd this problem?
...only about a million C5/Z06 owners have encountered the "demon key".
In C5 Tech, click on search this forum (in the red banner) and use keywords "demon key". I know you've already gotten yours out, but for future reference or helping your buddy out on his project...
You'll find a number of past discussions with several options on how to remove the little pest. I used the VICE GRIPS and leverage trick. Some like to use two flat blade screwdrivers. Other like to drill a hole, thread in small screw and remove.

Last edited by hotwheels57; Jan 24, 2008 at 05:39 PM.
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Old Jan 24, 2008 | 05:50 PM
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All I can say is.....Im glad it's over!
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Old Jan 24, 2008 | 09:53 PM
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I heated the **** with a blow drier and kept an ice cube on the locking key. Couple of taps on the vice grips and it popped right out.

Hope it helps.
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Old Jan 24, 2008 | 10:20 PM
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I used a narrow nose vise grip to prevent contact with the stock leather **** and eliminate the risk of any damage. With the vise grip firmly in place, use the flat side of a metal hammer to keep a steady rythm of tapping of the hammer against the elbow of the vise grip and the demon key will come right out as you continue to pull. Just let the vibration loosen the wedged metal demon key.
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Old Jan 24, 2008 | 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike98SilVert
I used a narrow nose vise grip to prevent contact with the stock leather **** and eliminate the risk of any damage. With the vise grip firmly in place, use the flat side of a metal hammer to keep a steady rythm of tapping of the hammer against the elbow of the vise grip and the demon key will come right out as you continue to pull. Just let the vibration loosen the wedged metal demon key.
This method worked for me. Tap-Tap-Tap!
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Old Jan 25, 2008 | 07:50 AM
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Drill a hole in the locking key and thread a screw in then tap out.
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Old Jan 25, 2008 | 09:20 AM
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It took using two screwdrivers to get mine out. Prying on each side of it at the same time.
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Old Jan 25, 2008 | 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike98SilVert
I used a narrow nose vise grip to prevent contact with the stock leather **** and eliminate the risk of any damage. With the vise grip firmly in place, use the flat side of a metal hammer to keep a steady rythm of tapping of the hammer against the elbow of the vise grip and the demon key will come right out as you continue to pull. Just let the vibration loosen the wedged metal demon key.




This worked for me also.
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Old Jan 25, 2008 | 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by 2MFFZo6
Its so the **** doesnt twist. All you have to do is put vise grips on it and tap it out. OOPS! too late.
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Old Jan 25, 2008 | 12:42 PM
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the vice grips, hammer, 3 taps, pretend to be a dentist pulling a tooth and pop... out it comes... every time...
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Old Jan 25, 2008 | 02:31 PM
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I drilled a small hole and used a dent puller to remove it, worked like a charm!
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Old Jan 25, 2008 | 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by 2MFFZo6
Its so the **** doesnt twist. All you have to do is put vise grips on it and tap it out. OOPS! too late.
That's how I got mine out when I switched the *****.
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Old Jan 25, 2008 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Tom/99
It took using two screwdrivers to get mine out. Prying on each side of it at the same time.


Mine came out easily using this method.
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Old Jan 25, 2008 | 03:15 PM
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Sprayed the demon key with penetrating oil, waited 10 minutes, then grabbed the key with vise grips and pulled it right out - 10 seconds, tops. Mine must not have been as tight as some!

After putting on the black Hurst ball, I didn't like it so took it back off and re-installed the stock shift ****.
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