C5 Shift Knob Removal
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
C5 Shift **** Removal
I did search and have read the posts and sites detailing how to remove the retainer, but my removal is different. I have tried the suggestions for removing it with vice grips, pliers, and screwdrivers. Every time I use the vice grips it either breaks off chunks of the metal or slips and shaves off pieces of metal. I have also tried spraying PB Blaster down into it and so far it hasn't helped. When trying to pull the retainer out do you need to wiggle it back and forth or just pull straight up. I have tried both with no success. If the shards of metal keep breaking off I will not be able to remove it at all. Does anyone have any suggestions for removing it? I just want to install my C6 shfit ****...
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 5
From: Holly, Michigan
I had the same experience as you with the pin flaking/chipping. I combined the two methods. I used the vice grips AND a flathead screwdriver, basically prying and pulling at the same time. I used a bit of wiggle...Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I bought a narrow pair of needle nose vice grips. Grab the retainer from the sides and clamp it. Then put a small piece of wood on the other side of the shift know and use a screwdrvier under the jaws of the vice grips to pry up against the piece of wood. Just make sure you put a towel over the tools before prying, because it can fly when it breaks loose and might break something in the car (or body). Hope this makes sense.
Other option is since you're replacing it, just drill it out.
Other option is since you're replacing it, just drill it out.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2007
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I went and bought a brand new set of vice grips and pulled it right out. My old pair was not locking as tight as possible and the new pair have the nut you can turn with a hex key so I really got it on there tight. I just wiggled back and forth and after about 10 mins. I got it out. What everyone says about the C6 **** is so true though. It actually makes the shifter feel better and more controllable. Especially if you are used to shifting "pistol grip" style. This should have been on all C5s.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 404
Likes: 3
From: FRESNO CA
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9
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Ebay. I got mine for 50 bucks but I actually won the auction. They are usually around 90 with shipping. They are modified to fit a C5. Here is the guy that sells them on ebay:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/C6-GM...spagenameZWDVW
Here is a pic of mine installed:
Here is a pic of mine installed:
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
From: Delta BC
These are the instruction that I used to do my swap last weekend:
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/pat...rInstall.shtml
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1022661
The first is the removal, which is standard for any swap and the second is the install for the c6Z shifter.
Patches instructions are excellent, I pulled the demon key out with a screw driver. I tried with vise crips but I could see that I was going to pull off shards of metal so I switched to a screw driver. I put some cloth between the shifter and srew driver to prevent it from getting dirty and pried up, came out like it was nothing (this is how Patches showed it as well).
Drop me a pm if you have any other issues.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/pat...rInstall.shtml
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1022661
The first is the removal, which is standard for any swap and the second is the install for the c6Z shifter.
Patches instructions are excellent, I pulled the demon key out with a screw driver. I tried with vise crips but I could see that I was going to pull off shards of metal so I switched to a screw driver. I put some cloth between the shifter and srew driver to prevent it from getting dirty and pried up, came out like it was nothing (this is how Patches showed it as well).
Drop me a pm if you have any other issues.
automatick, c5, corvette, directions, instructions, knob, knobs, removal, remove, replace, replacement, retainer, shift, shifter, swap
