Shift Knob Removal
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,710
Likes: 4,626
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
First you must remove the shift pattern cap to expose the demon key that holds the shift **** firmly in place. To remove the shift pattern cap I used a thin plastic trim removal tool. You can easily make one from a thin piece of scrap plastic.
To remove the demon key, 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.
If you intend on changing the shift boot as well, be careful not to damage the plastic ring that the boot is attched to. The plastic ring also holds the boot in place in the console. This plastic ring is very fragile and will crack easily. These rings are not sold seperately so if you break it you will have to buy a new boot/ring for around $100 from a Forum vendor, more $ from your local dealer, separate the stock boot from the ring and attach the new boot to the ring.
Here are some links that will be of help:
http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...t_install.html
http://augerresources.com/instructio...ebrakeboot.htm
http://www.redlinegoods.com/C5install.shtm
To remove the demon key, 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.
If you intend on changing the shift boot as well, be careful not to damage the plastic ring that the boot is attched to. The plastic ring also holds the boot in place in the console. This plastic ring is very fragile and will crack easily. These rings are not sold seperately so if you break it you will have to buy a new boot/ring for around $100 from a Forum vendor, more $ from your local dealer, separate the stock boot from the ring and attach the new boot to the ring.
Here are some links that will be of help:
http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...t_install.html
http://augerresources.com/instructio...ebrakeboot.htm
http://www.redlinegoods.com/C5install.shtm
Last edited by Mike98SilVert; Apr 1, 2009 at 12:30 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Bonita Springs, Florida
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To remove the demon key, 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.
That's the exact method I used to take mine off when I installed the VE shift ****. It's the way Ken King told me to do it and it worked like a charm.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego CA
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 510
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From: South Carolina
I just drilled a small pilot hole followed by a self tapping screw leaving the screw out about 1 inch. Then I could get the vicegrips on it, hit the grips with a hammer and it came out in one hit. I tried everything else for hours with a lot frustration and no luck.
