Gah! Shifter install help!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 733
Likes: 0
From: The inmates are running the asylum... San Jose, CA
Gah! Shifter install help!
Okay, I've done a search but am not using the right words so coming up empty handed...
We're trying to install a short throw shifter in my buddy's C5 and we're stuck at step one... we can't get the friggin' pressure pin out to remove the shifter!
Tried vice grips, flat head screw driver, liquid wrench. The stubborn thing is coming appart, but not coming out.
We're open to suggestions. :cry
We're trying to install a short throw shifter in my buddy's C5 and we're stuck at step one... we can't get the friggin' pressure pin out to remove the shifter!
Tried vice grips, flat head screw driver, liquid wrench. The stubborn thing is coming appart, but not coming out.
We're open to suggestions. :cry
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Re: Gah! Shifter install help! (Reeves)
Reeves, grab a hold of the pin with a set of Vice Grips and then tap the underside of the Vicegrips with a hammer. It will pop right out. :)
vetterdstr :cheers:
vetterdstr :cheers:
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX, 77030
Re: Gah! Shifter install help! (Reeves)
I also wrestled with the pin. I found that using two flathead screw drivers was the most effective method for me. Put one screw driver on either side of the pin and below the notches. Simultaneously pry upwards on both screw drivers.
Nothing will happen in the first few seconds. If you continue to apply constant and firm pressure on both screw drivers, the pin will start to come up. I think that fighting the pin is one of the basic C5 ownership experiences.
Nothing will happen in the first few seconds. If you continue to apply constant and firm pressure on both screw drivers, the pin will start to come up. I think that fighting the pin is one of the basic C5 ownership experiences.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Re: Gah! Shifter install help! (Racer281)
I also wrestled with the pin. I found that using two flathead screw drivers was the most effective method for me. Put one screw driver on either side of the pin and below the notches. Simultaneously pry upwards on both screw drivers.
Nothing will happen in the first few seconds. If you continue to apply constant and firm pressure on both screw drivers, the pin will start to come up. I think that fighting the pin is one of the basic C5 ownership experiences.
Nothing will happen in the first few seconds. If you continue to apply constant and firm pressure on both screw drivers, the pin will start to come up. I think that fighting the pin is one of the basic C5 ownership experiences.
That is the easiest and safest way to remeove the pin. I've used that method twice and it worked like a charm both times. :cheers:
[Modified by Scruffy, 6:22 AM 4/26/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
Re: Gah! Shifter install help! (Scruffy)
I hope I can describe this so you will understand, as it works perfect (done it several times to more than one car).
Put vice grips on it with the handles pointing straight up. Put a folded rag on the front of the ****, just in front of the vice grips (on the side by the radio). Then, take a long screwdriver and run the shaft through the opening in the vice grips so the tip of the screwdriver is on the rag. You can now pry up on the vice grips with the screwdriver with the tip on the rag and the shaft prying up on the vice grips.
Put vice grips on it with the handles pointing straight up. Put a folded rag on the front of the ****, just in front of the vice grips (on the side by the radio). Then, take a long screwdriver and run the shaft through the opening in the vice grips so the tip of the screwdriver is on the rag. You can now pry up on the vice grips with the screwdriver with the tip on the rag and the shaft prying up on the vice grips.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
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
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: NYC
Re: Gah! Shifter install help! (Reeves)
I had the same problem with crap "vice grips" so I went and bought Sears Professional locking pliers (similiar to the brand vice grip) and that was the best tool for popping out the stubborn pin. The Sears Pro pliers actually has little teeth at the tips of the plier that grabs anything securly.
When I used regular vice grips, it would always slide off the pin, with the sears plier, it took two tries and it popped right out. It took some muscle, but I got it out. I used the screw driver under the plier trick.
When I used regular vice grips, it would always slide off the pin, with the sears plier, it took two tries and it popped right out. It took some muscle, but I got it out. I used the screw driver under the plier trick.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,179
Likes: 1
From: Honolulu Hawaii
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Gah! Shifter install help! (likev)
I did the same thing Kevin...the Craftsman Pro Locking Grip pliers (I got the mini version) work very well. Lot's of grip!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Annandale NJ
Re: Gah! Shifter install help! (jschindler)
Some of these pins must be much tougher to remove than others - maybe they made more recent years tougher? I have an '01 and just installed a Ripper and getting the f&*%in' pin out took more than 50% of the total time. I had read the instructions on Tech Tips prior and tried the Vice Grip/Screwdriver prying technique to no avail - the VG's just chewed up the pin and kept coming off. I finally got it out by inserting a cotter pin remover point under the notches at the front corners alternately and tapping it with a hammer - crude but ultimately effective and no real damage done except the pin sides are a little chewed up from the vice grips.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
Re: Gah! Shifter install help! (mbtc5vette)
I can't imagine the vice grips chewing up the pin, I'm wondering if you guys are clamping it tight enough. I'm sorry if my question comes across wrong, but I can't help wondering this.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Annandale NJ
Re: Gah! Shifter install help! (jschindler)
Believe me - I clamped the VG's as tight as I could while still getting them to lock. I think the problem is that the ends of the jaws on the VG's that clamped on to the pin aren't serrated so they slid off with all the force. It sounds like the guys who discovered the Sears clamping pliers found the best solution.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Re: Gah! Shifter install help! (mbtc5vette)
Count me as a "locking pin" crusher as well. I actually removed mine in pieces after the ViceGrips pulled part of the pin out. I got the remainder out with flathead screwdrivers and a gallon of WD-40. As I will be remounting the factory ****, I bought a replacement pin which I will file down a little before reinstalling.
Larry
Larry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,422
Likes: 9
From: Rockaway, NJ
Re: Gah! Shifter install help! (jschindler)
I can't imagine the vice grips chewing up the pin, I'm wondering if you guys are clamping it tight enough. I'm sorry if my question comes across wrong, but I can't help wondering this.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
Re: Gah! Shifter install help! (Reeves)
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 2
From: Plano TX
Re: Gah! Shifter install help! (Racer281)
I also wrestled with the pin. I found that using two flathead screw drivers was the most effective method for me. Put one screw driver on either side of the pin and below the notches. Simultaneously pry upwards on both screw drivers.
Nothing will happen in the first few seconds. If you continue to apply constant and firm pressure on both screw drivers, the pin will start to come up. I think that fighting the pin is one of the basic C5 ownership experiences.
Nothing will happen in the first few seconds. If you continue to apply constant and firm pressure on both screw drivers, the pin will start to come up. I think that fighting the pin is one of the basic C5 ownership experiences.