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for christmas the wife got me a new shifter boot and Hurst Shifter ****, I've seen the videos and looks simple, i removed the shift pattern bezel and saw a messed up demon key, I tried to pry it up, no luck, I tried Froggy's method with a vice grip and no good, I cannot get a good grip, the key looks like it was forced or hammered in, I wonder if I can drill it out and get a self tapping screw and or just cut the shifter **** off, any suggestions folks? thanks and Happy New year !
I'll get a pix tonight and post, but I though the demon key had to be removed before you can unscrew the ****, correct? I've tried to pry up the key with 2 large flathead screwdrivers, but there's nothing to hold on to, looking at a good demon key and looking at mine, I really think someone damaged this beyond use - thanks for the suggestions, maybe last resort is a cutoff tool on the know, I hate to do it but I may have to do it
for christmas the wife got me a new shifter boot and Hurst Shifter ****, I've seen the videos and looks simple, i removed the shift pattern bezel and saw a messed up demon key, I tried to pry it up, no luck, I tried Froggy's method with a vice grip and no good, I cannot get a good grip, the key looks like it was forced or hammered in, I wonder if I can drill it out and get a self tapping screw and or just cut the shifter **** off, any suggestions folks? thanks and Happy New year !
Get a better pair of vice grips.. use a pry bar and use even pressure. You need to have the right feel and position for the pry bar for the pressure. The key is just wedged in...
A shot of Kroil would help. you only need to move it .001 in. and it will fall out.
Good luck
Bill aka ET
Vice grips don’t work. Two large flat heads prying very slowly worked for me But it cracked the shift **** leather at one of the corners. I bought another one on eBay for pretty cheap.
that does not work either unfortunately, it looks like it was damaged by the previous owner, I try and get a pic, but they're nothing to pry up against, it looks like it was hammered in too far or the shifter **** is up to much - very frustrating
not trying to save the ****, I have a replacement
Same with mine. Not a previous owner, as I've had it from new. I had to have a new clutch/flywheel assembly when it was only a couple of years old, so I assume it was the dealer that did it. In the end I cut it off the shaft, and found the real cause of the problem - the doofus had hammered it in so hard the top of the gear lever was mangled. A hacksaw, a 9/16 die and, voila, instant shorter throw shifter. Most expensive part was a new shift ****!
If the key was abused by a previous owner and its too low to grab with a good pair of vice grips.. Go to home depot and get a drill and tap. ( under ten dollars for both ). use the new screwed in bolt head to pry the key up..
Good luck
Bill
Same with mine. Not a previous owner, as I've had it from new. I had to have a new clutch/flywheel assembly when it was only a couple of years old, so I assume it was the dealer that did it. In the end I cut it off the shaft, and found the real cause of the problem - the doofus had hammered it in so hard the top of the gear lever was mangled. A hacksaw, a 9/16 die and, voila, instant shorter throw shifter. Most expensive part was a new shift ****!
I think that's my problem, looks like it was hammered in, no shoulder to the demon key so nothing to get under and pry
thanks Jack !
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Can't imagine why someone would put the demon key in so tight that you can't get it back out. WTH were they thinking. I've always been able to use a pair of vice grips, lock them on the key, tap up on the side of the grips with a hammer and the key pops out.
Can't imagine why someone would put the demon key in so tight that you can't get it back out. WTH were they thinking. I've always been able to use a pair of vice grips, lock them on the key, tap up on the side of the grips with a hammer and the key pops out.
Good luck getting this fixed.
I'm stumped, not sure why someone would do this, I'd like to salvage the original ****, but if I cannot drill / tap and pull it out, I'm gonna take a cut off wheel to the **** and be done
Can't imagine why someone would put the demon key in so tight that you can't get it back out. WTH were they thinking. I've always been able to use a pair of vice grips, lock them on the key, tap up on the side of the grips with a hammer and the key pops out.
Good luck getting this fixed.
Oh I can imagine.. I use to do some testing of torque values . I would find Gm certified techs applying 160 tp 180 ft lbs of torque where the spec was 100 ft lbs. . Many people or even techs do not consider having to remove something and would rather maker sure it does not come off at the expense of over torqueing. I used to get the excuse, Ive been doing this forever and I know by feel the correct torque.. Its easy for me to see anyone beating on that key and giving it an extra smack for good measure because they know it wont be them to remove it. next time. Some people just do not know any better.
I imagine there are more than a few out here that would be willing to donate a stock shift shaft, probably without the **** or demon key. Pull the shift shaft out -- four screws -- and put the whole thing away for posterity. Bolt in a replacement with the **** of your choice.
Wow! I have a stock shift lever (what you have showed) that I bought for $100 on eBay but wound up not using. If you want it, I’ll let it go for what I paid. Let me know.
12-31-2018, 10:39 AM
Dreaded Demon key
