[Z06] HELP!! CANNOT get shifter knob retainer out!!!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 5
From: Atlantis
Cruise-In I Veteran
HELP!! CANNOT get shifter **** retainer out!!!
It WILL NOT come out.
I have just about destroyed the top of the retainer by biteing onto it with visegrips and trying to pry it out.
It just WILL NOT come out.
What do I do now boys and girls??
I've got this fancy smancy MOJo or MOmo shifter **** and can't get it on there because of this.
Is this the secret "vehicular retainer" that is holding the whole car together?
This darn thing is tighter than Ft.Knox.
Can I drill it somehow to remove the tension?
Help me out guys. The more it won't come out, the more I want it out.
This is affecting my sanity.
[Modified by VetNutJim, 10:03 PM 6/1/2002]
I have just about destroyed the top of the retainer by biteing onto it with visegrips and trying to pry it out.
It just WILL NOT come out.
What do I do now boys and girls??
I've got this fancy smancy MOJo or MOmo shifter **** and can't get it on there because of this.
Is this the secret "vehicular retainer" that is holding the whole car together?
This darn thing is tighter than Ft.Knox.
Can I drill it somehow to remove the tension?
Help me out guys. The more it won't come out, the more I want it out.
This is affecting my sanity.
[Modified by VetNutJim, 10:03 PM 6/1/2002]
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 2
From: Norman Oklahoma
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: HELP!! CANNOT get shifter **** retainer out!!! (VetNutJim)
Try twisting the **** while you pull on the wedge..
Your doing it as right as I know how to, some of them are just a BIATCH.. :smash:
Your doing it as right as I know how to, some of them are just a BIATCH.. :smash:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 0
From: Pembroke Pines Florida
Re: HELP!! CANNOT get shifter **** retainer out!!! (RPO_Z06)
I remember having that same nightmare. My retainer broke off completely. I had to drill a hole, screw into it and yank. Sucky experience, Good luck!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Denver CO
Re: HELP!! CANNOT get shifter **** retainer out!!! (BRADS C5)
The retainer is 'T' shaped, if you can get the edge of a flathead screwdriver or similar implement underneath the edge, you should be able to pry it out.
-ag
-ag
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Columbus GA
Re: HELP!! CANNOT get shifter **** retainer out!!! (VetNutJim)
Try to get the visegrips locked onto the top of the retainer, if there's still enough of it left. Then use a side to side rocking motion while pulling straight upward at the same time. This requires having the shifter in gear and using two hands. With patience you should be able to gradually get the retainer to loosen and come out.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Tx
Re: HELP!! CANNOT get shifter **** retainer out!!! (VetNutJim)
I put a flat head screwdriver under the left side of the pin and tapped the screw driver handle downward with my hand and the pin came up pretty easy. I also shot a little WD40 in there first. With the screw driver under the pin the handle should be running over your right leg, start tapping down on the screwdriver handle.
[Modified by CANTEX, 6:04 PM 6/2/2002]
[Modified by CANTEX, 6:04 PM 6/2/2002]
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 5
From: Atlantis
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: HELP!! CANNOT get shifter **** retainer out!!! (JeffMc)
UPDATE:
This one WOULD NOT come out amigos.
The screwdrivers broke the ears off the retainer on the left and right side with no results.
The visegrips came off (several times) after being clamped TIGHTLY until the top of the retainer was pretty chewed up.
I had to drill into it using progressively larger drill bits until it finally gave up and came loose.
I think I got up to 11/32 before the darn thing gave up.
What a PITA.
Thanks for all the input boys and girls. It encouraged me to keep trying.
The red MoMo Combat Shift **** is happily installed now on my '02 Zbus.
I did save the original shifter **** without a scratch on it. (I was VERY careful). The retainer is toast, however.
You guys are just the BEST!!!
This one WOULD NOT come out amigos.
The screwdrivers broke the ears off the retainer on the left and right side with no results.
The visegrips came off (several times) after being clamped TIGHTLY until the top of the retainer was pretty chewed up.
I had to drill into it using progressively larger drill bits until it finally gave up and came loose.
I think I got up to 11/32 before the darn thing gave up.
What a PITA.
Thanks for all the input boys and girls. It encouraged me to keep trying.
The red MoMo Combat Shift **** is happily installed now on my '02 Zbus.
I did save the original shifter **** without a scratch on it. (I was VERY careful). The retainer is toast, however.
You guys are just the BEST!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,076
Likes: 0
From: Lake Forest CA
Re: HELP!! CANNOT get shifter **** retainer out!!! (VetNutJim)
I had a simular experience, Made a slide hammer affair useing a pair of vise grips attached to it. Makiing sure when I reinstalled it not to make it so tight. :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,718
Likes: 2
From: Flower Mound TX
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: HELP!! CANNOT get shifter **** retainer out!!! (turbolou)
Soaked mine with PB Penetrating Catalyst to loosen it up some, then vice grips with the screwdriver as a lever against a block of metal. It slowly came up...I had almost given up, but I knew it could be done thanks to the forum.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 0
From: somewhere on a roadcourse
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: HELP!! CANNOT get shifter **** retainer out!!! (VetNutJim)
hey Jim that's the same shift **** I just ordered!
got any pics?
and I do believe CONGRATULATIONS is in order on your successful MOD install! haha!
-Leslie:)
got any pics?
and I do believe CONGRATULATIONS is in order on your successful MOD install! haha!
-Leslie:)
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,596
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
Re: HELP!! CANNOT get shifter **** retainer out!!! (levettegrl)
I used the 2 flat-tip screwdriver method and had no problems. It came right out. I installed the MGW silver ****. Very nice and a great Price $45
http://www.mgwltd.com/corvette_pistol_grip_knob.html
http://www.mgwltd.com/corvette_pistol_grip_knob.html
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
Re: HELP!! CANNOT get shifter **** retainer out!!! (VetNutJim)
I just installed my Hurst today and sprayed some WD40 down around the pin and let it penetrate while I took the console apart. I don't know if it was that , a new angle or just plain old dumb luck but on the first pull it popped out.
Glad you finally got it out - what a major PITA.
Tom
USAF Retired
[Modified by AFVETTE, 8:31 PM 6/27/2002]
Glad you finally got it out - what a major PITA.
Tom
USAF Retired
[Modified by AFVETTE, 8:31 PM 6/27/2002]
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 5
From: Atlantis
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: HELP!! CANNOT get shifter **** retainer out!!! (AFVETTE)
Thanks AFVETTE. I think some are just tighter than others.....
Aluminum Bezels hmmmm Hey how hard is it to put THOSE on????
I LIKE'EM!!!
Aluminum Bezels hmmmm Hey how hard is it to put THOSE on????
I LIKE'EM!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,292
Likes: 0
From: Md
Re: HELP!! CANNOT get shifter **** retainer out!!! (VetNutJim)
Put a small pair of vise grips on the retainer and put the biggest pry bar I have into the opening of the vg jaws. Just pried up! Came right out. Used the biggest Snap-On pry bar (about 1.5 fett long)
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Doylestown PA
Re: HELP!! CANNOT get shifter **** retainer out!!! (VetNutJim)
I ended up using a dremel with a cutting wheel and destroyed the original shift **** to get the beast out. I think the assembly line person used a mallet on mine.