The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop SM420 gearshift removal - any tips ?

I am almost ready to lift the cab off the frame, but need to remove the floor gear shift. I don't have one of those "special" tools that is referenced in the Shop Manual. Does anyone have any nifty shadetree method using something other than the special tool? Do I really need to remove the gearshift, or will the cab come off with it attached?

shoeless in Okiehoma

Cant ya just take the top off the transmission?Cover the gears with rags ta keep the dirt out.

I guess it depends on the floorboard access cover.

Cab will come off with it in place, if ya can get the cab high enough, then swing it clear of bumping anyhting.

What year truck is it?

It is much easier to remove the gear shift when lifting off the cab..

I pushed down hard with a rag around the gear shift shaft and twisted to the left.

A little penetrating oil sprayed in there first may help..

The majority of the replies that I recieved from another site was the rag method, as per what 53 said. I fashioned a monkey wrench on it's side to emulate the tool in the book and it was unecessary. What I did have trouble with is I was expecting it to rotate a fair amount and it would on rotate a few degrees. I kept trying and trying and then when I lifted up, off it came. So push down, rotate counter clockwise and then pull up.

Actually, I made a tool for doing this out of 1-1/2" ABS pipe. Just cut a peice of this pipe about 6 inches long with a chop saw. Slide it over the gearshift handle, press down and twist and it works like a charm. I have used it a couple of times now and never had a problem with it slipping.

Thanks for all the great tips men. I tried the rag trick but couldn't get quite enough pressure to get it to turn. I then pulled out a pipe wrench, opened it up and placed it horizontal on top of the rag and pressed down. Bingo! I only had to turn it about 30 degrees and it popped right off.

Once again this reflector proves itself to be invaluable!

shoeless

i had to remove the shifter arm a while ago - but that was to fill the transmission with fluid, as i had no way of pumping oil into the side plug.

A ketchup squeeze bottle will do the trick..