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Pop the plastic shift pattern off the center of the ****, remove the "demon key" and then unscrew the ****. The key is a real PITA to get off. I have been able to get it off by prying up with a screw driver a ways and then pulling out with pliers, but you have to be careful not to mar the **** if you plan on using it again. There's no magic formula to getting it out, guys have found various ways of doing it. It's just a matter of what you find that will work and being persistent! Good luck!
The best way for me has been (and I've done it like 4 times) ti use _two_ screw drivers. Once you pop off the cap, get two medium/large flatblades - wrap them with a rag so the portion that contacts the **** itself is cushioned (*really* do this, the screw drivers +will+ dig into the soft leather of the ****).
The demon key has a small lip around the top - position a screwdriver on each side (like posthole diggers), get the tip to catch the lip, and lever them down together and it will pop right out. I did this for a buddy as well, after he thrashed around with pliers for an hour.
Are you replacing the ****, or shifter? Whatcha getting?
I used a small pair of vise-grips. Lock those suckers onto the top of the "demon" and work it back and forth as you are exerting a pull upward. Just be ready for it to release suddenly, narrowly missing your forehead if all goes well. If it doesn't go well, it won't miss your forhead, and you will be the recipient of a double fist full of vise-grips.
From: I'm not quite middle aged and I only own one gold chain! San Jose CA
The best and easiest removal I have seen or done is with a pair of needle nose vise grips. Remove the plastic piece on top of the shifter, then place the needle nose vise grips on the key. Get a hammer or heavy wrench of some kind and use it to tap on the fat side of the vise grip. Tap in an upward direction and it should pop right out in no time. I tried a couple of other methods using screwdriver, etc and this one works much easier...at least for me!
I've done it on two cars and had to drill a hole down the center and screw a screw in and grab the screw with a vice grip and hammer up with a screw driver in the crotch of the vice grips.
Pop the plastic shift pattern off the center of the ****, remove the "demon key" and then unscrew the ****. The key is a real PITA to get off. I have been able to get it off by prying up with a screw driver a ways and then pulling out with pliers, but you have to be careful not to mar the **** if you plan on using it again. There's no magic formula to getting it out, guys have found various ways of doing it. It's just a matter of what you find that will work and being persistent! Good luck!
Now only if I consulted with this forum when I install my short throw, I would not felt like a caveman trying to understand a computer! And yes that little bugger is a demon key!