DEMON KEY removal: new improved method!!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 862
Likes: 1
From: Cologne Germany
DEMON KEY removal: new improved method!!!
Edited: Consider the following method as outdated, since I found an even better solution by using paint can openers instead of puller arms. You will find more information further down!
The Demon Key is a lock pin (T-bar) that prevents the manual shift **** from unscrewing. In order to put an aftermarket shift **** on your OEM shifter, or to retain your OEM shift boot for your aftermarket shifter, you must remove this key.
Take a look at http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=373642 and you'll find out why the key is named "Demon", in case you didn't know already! :D
1. Get yourself a very small puller....
2. Amputate the two puller arms....
3. Insert the arms under the sides of the Demon Key....
4. Carefully pry out the key by equally pulling the arms outwards....
You're done! :cheers:
Note : pics were taken afterwards. On picture #3 the key is pressed in by hand as far as it would go.
[Modified by CR555, 3:51 PM 12/31/2002]
The Demon Key is a lock pin (T-bar) that prevents the manual shift **** from unscrewing. In order to put an aftermarket shift **** on your OEM shifter, or to retain your OEM shift boot for your aftermarket shifter, you must remove this key.
Take a look at http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=373642 and you'll find out why the key is named "Demon", in case you didn't know already! :D
1. Get yourself a very small puller....
2. Amputate the two puller arms....
3. Insert the arms under the sides of the Demon Key....
4. Carefully pry out the key by equally pulling the arms outwards....
You're done! :cheers:
Note : pics were taken afterwards. On picture #3 the key is pressed in by hand as far as it would go.
[Modified by CR555, 3:51 PM 12/31/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,133
Likes: 144
From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
Re: DEMON KEY removal: new improved method!!! (jfpilla)
I like the 50 lb sledgehammer and chainsaw solution! :D
I have to admit, though, that yours looks better for those with the right tool.
I have to admit, though, that yours looks better for those with the right tool.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: DEMON KEY removal: new improved method!!! (CR555)
Good idea, and great how-to pictures...but....
I doubt many DIY'ers have a puller of this type laying around. I have many pullers myself, none are small enough to fit under the key ears. I certainly wouldn't go buy one just for this job.
I feel the best removal trick, is to use a vice grips and hammer. Grip the ears of the key very tightly with the vice grips. With the hammer, strike upward on the shoulder of the vice grips. Even a mild hammer blow has many times the impact force of prying. The vibration and impact does wonders for freeing the key, essentially nothing more than a wedge. Another benefit is the key doesn't become airborne when it breaks free, it's still in the vice grips' grasp. Imagine that thing flying into your eye or forehead or glass top or who knows what it will hit. :eek:
When I took mine out, the key came out on the 2nd tap of the hammer. I almost chuckled when it popped out, I thought to myself "this is what eveyone's been b*tching about?". After reading so many :cuss posts about this simple thing, I wasn't sure what to expect. I found it very easy.
:cheers:
I doubt many DIY'ers have a puller of this type laying around. I have many pullers myself, none are small enough to fit under the key ears. I certainly wouldn't go buy one just for this job.
I feel the best removal trick, is to use a vice grips and hammer. Grip the ears of the key very tightly with the vice grips. With the hammer, strike upward on the shoulder of the vice grips. Even a mild hammer blow has many times the impact force of prying. The vibration and impact does wonders for freeing the key, essentially nothing more than a wedge. Another benefit is the key doesn't become airborne when it breaks free, it's still in the vice grips' grasp. Imagine that thing flying into your eye or forehead or glass top or who knows what it will hit. :eek:
When I took mine out, the key came out on the 2nd tap of the hammer. I almost chuckled when it popped out, I thought to myself "this is what eveyone's been b*tching about?". After reading so many :cuss posts about this simple thing, I wasn't sure what to expect. I found it very easy.
:cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 32
From: USA
Re: DEMON KEY removal: new improved method!!! (CR555)
CR,
Looks like what you are doing is the same as using a screwdriver on each side of the key and prying up with equal pressure.
Seems like many people do not put any type of oil around the key first.
Let it soak in overnight and pry the key out with the screwdrivers.
I did that and mine came right out with very little pressure. :)
Dave
Looks like what you are doing is the same as using a screwdriver on each side of the key and prying up with equal pressure.
Seems like many people do not put any type of oil around the key first.
Let it soak in overnight and pry the key out with the screwdrivers.
I did that and mine came right out with very little pressure. :)
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,098
Likes: 43
From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: DEMON KEY removal: new improved method!!! (corvette dave)
Looks like what you are doing is the same as using a screwdriver on each side of the key and prying up with equal pressure.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 862
Likes: 1
From: Cologne Germany
Re: DEMON KEY removal: new improved method!!! (corvette dave)
Looks like what you are doing is the same as using a screwdriver on each side of the key and prying up with equal pressure.
With my method, you're putting the backpressure on the ****'s solid base, the same part where the key is jammed in. While using a bent tool, it is easy to go underneath the ears of key, without the possibility of damaging the ****. The key will not become airborne, since you're prying up with much more control (and more force) compared to the screwdriver method.
Compared to the vice grips and hammer method I can say the following. The vice grips may slip of, possibly leaving permanent damage to the key. This is where the hacksaw solution comes in! :lol:
[Modified by CR555, 9:21 AM 12/30/2002]
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,976
Likes: 24,709
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Re: DEMON KEY removal: new improved method!!! (CR555)
Great tip. Thanks.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
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
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 862
Likes: 1
From: Cologne Germany
Re: DEMON KEY removal: new improved method!!! (Y2Kvert4me)
I doubt many DIY'ers have a puller of this type laying around. I have many pullers myself, none are small enough to fit under the key ears. I certainly wouldn't go buy one just for this job.
I've been thinking of an alternative and came up with the following idea.
Instead of using the arms of a puller, use a pair of paint can openers!
They're cheaper (I paid only $3 for two) and maybe easier to get. I do prefer them over the puller arms. Why didn't I think of them in the first place? :confused:
Here's a pic of the ones I got:
I also considered prying up the key with bent screwdrivers that have a similar look to the cap openers. You would have to use very small (= not strong) screwdrivers, otherwise they won't fit, due to the limited space between the key and the ****'s inner sidewalls. I am not really convinced about this solution, but you might give it a try!
Anyway, here you can see how the cap openers grab the fully pushed-in key:
The elastic side walls of the **** give way while prying up, they also keep the openers into place. :cheers:
[Modified by CR555, 9:32 AM 12/30/2002]
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 862
Likes: 1
From: Cologne Germany
Re: DEMON KEY removal: new improved method!!! (AP)
Anybody wanting a pair of these paint can openers and having trouble finding them, should drop me an e-mail or IM. I'll send them straight to your doorstep! :smash: :yesnod:
Believe me... with them, removing the Demon Key is "a piece of cake".
I'm convinced that even the "welded in" keys should not cause any problems anymore! :nono:
[Modified by CR555, 3:37 PM 12/31/2002]
Believe me... with them, removing the Demon Key is "a piece of cake".
I'm convinced that even the "welded in" keys should not cause any problems anymore! :nono:
[Modified by CR555, 3:37 PM 12/31/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,890
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
St. Jude Contributor
Re: DEMON KEY removal: new improved method!!! (Y2Kvert4me)
I almost chuckled when it popped out, I thought to myself "this is what eveyone's been b*tching about?". After reading so many :cuss posts about this simple thing, I wasn't sure what to expect. I found it very easy.
:cheers: [/QUOTE]
Yep.............Mine was a breeze also. Clamped it tight with the grips....tapped a few times and there it was :yesnod:
Now next time...it might be more difficult.
I like the paint can opener idea :)
:cheers: [/QUOTE]
Yep.............Mine was a breeze also. Clamped it tight with the grips....tapped a few times and there it was :yesnod:
Now next time...it might be more difficult.
I like the paint can opener idea :)
MONARTOR
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 249,898
Likes: 146
From: What I know, is dwarfed by what I pretend to know
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: DEMON KEY removal: new improved method!!! (AP)
Now that is a cheap and easy solution ... and reuseable ..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,925
Likes: 0
From: A FEW CLICKS NORTH OF THE CANAL
Re: DEMON KEY removal: new improved method!!! (Grumpy)
Hey now wait just a sec, I just got through boring a 4" hole in my coupes roof so I cound use a come-a-long and the jackhammer version of the demon key removal. and all I needed was a pair of bent screwdrivers or a pulley puller :jester
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,381
Likes: 79
Re: DEMON KEY removal: new improved method!!! (CR555)
Great Tip, but like the last post about this not all of them are that easy to remove. I have built engines, trannies, and entire cars and one of the hardest things I have ever done was remove that damn key to install my hurst shifter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just about destroyed the thing. I think some of you had a little old lady on the assembly line and I the HULK!
:crazy:
:crazy:
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 1
From: Defending the US Constitution in Northern CA
Re: DEMON KEY removal: new improved method!!! (Y2Kvert4me)
When I took mine out, the key came out on the 2nd tap of the hammer. I almost chuckled when it popped out, I thought to myself "this is what eveyone's been b*tching about?". After reading so many :cuss posts about this simple thing, I wasn't sure what to expect. I found it very easy.
:cheers:
:cheers:
I have done many of these, in ordre to install a shifter or a stereo. Some keys pop right out no trouble, but some I swear are welded in place. I have been using the two two screw driver method with much easier success than the hammer and vice grip method. But to each his own.
I love the paint can openers or puller arm idea. They are clean, simple and the car owner will not come unglued when he sees you prying on his gear shift know with two big a** screwdrivers.
:smash: :smash: :smash: :eek:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,450
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City Missouri
Re: DEMON KEY removal: new improved method!!! (CR555)
Good suggestion, and you dont have to buy one of these if you dont have one, just go to your local auto zone or other parts store, many of these type of stores loan these out with a deposit. Just make sure and put it back together before you return it :D :cheers:
