HELP! Please. I am attempting to replace my center console with one made of carbon fiber. I can do it OK after watching the you tube video on replacing the shifter for a manual tranny. Except for removing the A8 shift ****. I don't know if it is like the manual where you turn the top of the boot CCW or not. I can't turn mine and I don't want to use tools. If you know how, please respond. Thanks.

 

The service manual just says to pull up and twist... I assume to the left.

Note, it says the **** and boot are removed as an assembly.

 

OK- I am on my way to give it a try. Thank you for the great response.

It worked- getting the new console on, not getting the shift **** off. By prying up with a plastic trim tool, the shift boot can be removed from its mounting. It won't clear the **** of course but with some adroit maneuvering of the boot, the shift lever and the console cover, the old cover can be removed and the new one installed. The wire leads to the mode **** and the parking brake are removed easily but I had a bad time with the connector to the cigarette lighter-- oops, excuse me, the power tap or whatever. It has to be undone last and redone first once you figure out how to press the long side tab. I had to mildly bend the locking tab to get it to lock back in with a snap. The side molding (leather covered on the drivers side has a lock tap on it closest to the front of the car. It needs to go in first- before the snap in's. To get the boot thru the console opening requires the shift lever to be in Neutral for a part of the maneuvering and in Park for some parts. To do this requires starting and stopping the engine. Not my favorite thing to do but necessary. If you need to do this R&R of the console cover, good luck. It isn't all that hard if you take your time and use your brain power. Here is a good video but only for the manual shifter.
(copy & paste)

PM me if you like with questions of better answers maybe. Robert
Many thanks to TEXHAWKO.

 

I just wanted to add a little clarity here. The picture from the manual is correct and just as simple as it sounds. Gear position doesn't matter, parking break doesn't matter, engine doesn't matter. I performed this with my shifter out of the vehicle. You simply grab the thing, twist (any direction), and pull upward with enough force that you feel sure you are going to break it.

 

Good write up. Thanks.
FYI... It isn't necessary to start the engine to shift into neutral. Just press and hold the start button, without pressing the brake, for at least 5 seconds. The car will enter service mode. Now you can press the brake and move the shifter.

That must have been disturbing to have the engine running, ebrake unplugged, tyranny out of park, and console torn apart.

 

Thanks, I did not know about service mode. There is also a little hole on the front right of the shifter, below the boot that you can stick an Allen wrench in. Once you press the button with an Allen wrench, it will let you out of park.

 

Wow... didn't know that little piece of information. Thanks!

 

I have just replaced the A8 **** and boot on my 2016 C7. It was not that difficult. I put the car in neutral and than put my foot on the brake. At this point you need to firmly grip the shifter know and push in the shift button on the **** and pull straight up. You may need to twist it a little to the left. Mine came right off. The **** is attached to the boot also.

 

Help, I pulled on the shift ****, had the car in neutral, and that sucker would not budge. Help.

 

You really gotta wretch on that thing. I popped myself in the mouth so hard pulling the damn thing off I thought I chipped a tooth.

 

Westman is right, just pull way harder than you think you should. I still shudder at the thought of how much force you have to put into that thing.

 

Did you ever figure out a trick to remove the shifter ****? I've tried several times....no joy.

 

I tried twisting only to the left with no success. Then by turning back and forth both directions and pulling up it popped right off.

 

Ok thanks for getting back to me...I'll give it another try today, I literally feel like I'm going to break something using thiis much force.

Sam