Help With Shifter!!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 290
From: Pasco WA
The name for that piece is "demon key". And there's two basic ways to remove it. The easiest is to pry the key out using two large flat screwdrivers. Position them on left and right sides, and using pressure wiggle the key out. The other way, which can lead to rounding off the edges of the key, and making removal even tougher, is to use vise-grips to grasp the key, and then hammer underneath the pliers to pop out the thing. If it's really tight, this method can slip off and make the edges hard to hold.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,561
Likes: 447
From: Atlanta metro Ga.
Use a pair of small vise grips, lock them on, then get a cloth and a screw driver, use the screw driver as a lever to pry up between the cloth / top of the shifter **** and the vise grips. It helps to wiggle the vise grips back and forth as well. Be mindful that the key is lead, so it is soft.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 1
From: Augusta GA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Hence the name... It is a PIA but after you have it off a few times it is a breeze. I like the flat tip method, just be careful not to leave a mark on the top of the ****. You can do it!
Dave
Dave
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 15
St. Jude Donor '06
Please dont forget to tighten and loctite the set screws on the front and back of the shift base. Why you ask? Because eventually (if not properly tightened) they work them selves loose and screw them selves into the base thus, preventing shifting into either 1,3,5,r (front set screw) or 2,4,6 (the rear set screw). Most people find this out the hardway and the entire console has to come back out to get things tighened properly. Plus you wont get stuck with only the upper or lower half of gear while traveling!
Cheers!
Cheers!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Here's my method - wrought from the school of the impact wrench......
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_install.htm
http://www.conceptualpolymer.com/corvette_install.htm
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: New Bedford MA
Thank You
I got it and finally finished. The flathead screwdriver method worked perfect I can't elieve how much better the shifts are now. I wish i did this when I bought her. Thanks Again
I can't elieve how much better the shifts are now. I wish i did this when I bought her. Thanks Again
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 1
From: Augusta GA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by Stealthy4
Please dont forget to tighten and loctite the set screws on the front and back of the shift base. Why you ask? Because eventually (if not properly tightened) they work them selves loose and screw them selves into the base thus, preventing shifting into either 1,3,5,r (front set screw) or 2,4,6 (the rear set screw). Most people find this out the hardway and the entire console has to come back out to get things tighened properly. Plus you wont get stuck with only the upper or lower half of gear while traveling!
Cheers!
Cheers!
Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,219
Likes: 1
From: Somerset Co, NJ
Tried to get the demon key out this morning to install my new Hurst shifter.
I can't believe how hard it is to get the damn demon key out!
I tried to pry with the screwdrivers with even , constant pressure, the tabs broke! Ddin't think I needed safety glasses on this job, but the one piece hit me in the head, if that hit my eye, I'd be blinded and in the ER right now! Also, sprayed WD40 in there, to no avail. Next, I tried the vise grip method, and the key was breaking where I put the vise grips!
It seems like this thing is made outta pencil lead!
Still have to get it out somehow, and have to get a new key!!!
I can't believe how hard it is to get the damn demon key out!
I tried to pry with the screwdrivers with even , constant pressure, the tabs broke! Ddin't think I needed safety glasses on this job, but the one piece hit me in the head, if that hit my eye, I'd be blinded and in the ER right now! Also, sprayed WD40 in there, to no avail. Next, I tried the vise grip method, and the key was breaking where I put the vise grips!
It seems like this thing is made outta pencil lead!
Still have to get it out somehow, and have to get a new key!!!
Last edited by C5Jimmy; Nov 4, 2006 at 10:36 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 794
From: Longview Texas
Originally Posted by C5Jimmy
I tried to pry with the screwdrivers with even , constant pressure, the tabs broke! Ddin't think I needed safety glasses on this job, but the one piece hit me in the head, if that hit my eye, I'd be blinded and in the ER right now! Also, sprayed WD40 in there, to no avail. Next, I tried the vise grip method, and the key was breaking where I put the vise grips!
Still have to get it out somehow, and have to get a new key!!!
Still have to get it out somehow, and have to get a new key!!!
I have also found that sometimes it is better to apply the pressure quickly (like an impact) instead of gradually. Often, a bolt, or whatever you are trying to loosen, will break loose before it deforms, where steady pressure will just round it off.
If you destroy the top, you may have to drill it out. Once you remove some metal from the center of the key, it should relieve the pressure on the key and make it easier to remove. You could also tap the hole and insert a bolt to give you something else to grab onto.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Nov 4, 2006 at 11:49 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 152
From: Somewhere in Dallas TX
Just cut down my shifter 3/4 inch. That demon key would not budge, but thanks for the vise grips tip! That got it done and the demon is now banished forever!!! The **** goes on tight. There was really no use for it from the factory. I will going for a test drive in a bit with my new $5 shifter. That's the way I see it as it was about 5 bucks for the cutting wheel for the Dremel.