Not really a drivetrain issue, but...

For a '05 MCS [6-speed], I've read that the shift **** comes off by pulling straight up. I pulled harder than I wanted and it didn't come off. Is there a clip/set-screw? Or perhaps it's just the cold weather and the plastic is very stiff...

-B

 

It will come off. May help to give it a jerk instead of a steady pull. Open your sunroof if you have one

 

You may have pulled harder than you wanted to, but it was not as hard as the shift **** wanted you to pull.

 

It should just come off. No extra clips or anything. It gets better after the 1st time though.

 

Once you get it off--get a Whalen!!

 

Get your As_ behind you and PULL. It will come off... just make sure you don't punch yourself in the mouth

 

It was alot easier than i thought when i did mine. I followed the instruction some of us here recommended ... shift it to 2nd, roll your seat back all the way, one foot on the floor or the rest paddle, open all the way the moonroof(if you have one), then ..... PULL. I did it. I also used a towel to wrap around it, in case it did pop-n-fly, and won't hurt as bad. I did it only one shot and got it. Good luck.

 

Mine came off when I was driving like **** and shifted into second. Nothing like shifting and having the freakin **** come off in your hand!

Felt a little stupid.....

 

It's a tough pull. People with back problems should not attempt as it could
dislocate a disc.

 

It wasn't too hard for me. I am an athlete though . Just put it in 2nd, put both hands under the **** with some pressure upward. Then give it a quick jerk upward and the **** should pop right off

 

Thanks to everyone for crushing my ego -- I'm not man enough to pull-off the shift ****. The truth hurts. Guess I need to have a pot of coffee and a box of Wheaties for breakfast, then proceed to pull so hard that I create a long shift kit...

B^)

 

I once used this technique with a BMW 325i convertible. Ended up throwing the shift **** about 25 feet into the woods behind the car...

Keep a firm grip!:smile:

 

Yeah, there's no consistency; they all fit differently.

I've had people tell me that they've had the shift **** come off in their hand, on the very first drive of their brand new car!

Others (like me, when I had my M Roadster), have found that the **** fits so tight that it almost takes an act of God to remove it.

I ended up lowering the top and straddling the console, pulling like mad. And when the **** FINALLY came off, I nearly sailed out the back of the car!

 

Maybe it's kind of like Excalibur. Only ye pure of heart and really into modding MINI's shall be allowed to remove this sword from this stone ... er ... this **** from this shifter!

 

Good analogy! :smile:

I may have been having some impure, naughty thoughts the night before; which caused me some difficulty later.

 

Woah, there Mr. Ross-Tech, I don't think you can say 'pull the **** from the shifter' in mixed company.

 

I rephrased it from "pull the **** off the shaft" but I deliberately rephrased it to make it sound 1% less naughty.

 

That can't be it. I've managed to get BMW shift ***** off before, and I've never been accused of being "of pure heart."

Oh yeah, one other thing. Almost as bad as throwing the **** out the sunroof is to have it center punch you in the sternum. The bruise can last up to a week...

 

 

I am not the sporty type as mentioned here but also by no means a weakling. Already having received my aftermarket ****, I have attempted, by pulling straight up, (prior to viewing this thread), yes, harder than I thought appropriate. The '05 **** is awful, (plastic instead of metal like my '03), but I will have to live with it, and the "non-returnable" **** I also now own. All kidding aside, I can't take the chance of damaging the lever, it just seems to me that it just ain't gonna come off...

 

Why don't you take it to your dealer and ask one of the mechanics to yank it off?

 

They couldn't fix my car, it was in for seven attempts for one problem, and 4-6 each for a couple of others, so let's just say that under no circumstances would I ask that one of thier "technicians" to attempt this. I'm not going to give them the opportunity to yank mine any more, we'll just let it go at that... Appreciate your try at a solution though!

 

This is why I drive two hours to go to Mini of Peabody. Hartford is only an hour as Fairfield is about 1.5. Both $uck, so I go to the very best instead.

Hey, come to the Pulley party this weekend in Providence. We'll get it off for ya.

 

Hey, come to the Pulley party this weekend in Providence. We'll get it off for ya. [/QUOTE]

Worth considering, at least there would be some professional people there...

 

They will only yank your chain and not your ****!

When I did mine, I sat on top of the E brake handle with my knees on either side of the ****. This let me get a little more leverage. . . .