Is there a trick or online instructions to removing a stock
gear shift ****?

Thanks

 

Just pull straight up, and make sure your face isn't right over it just pull hard

 

Just pull very hard and get out of the way

 

The best way to do it is to sit sideways on the seat with the gearshift between your knees. Cup both hands around the ****, put your knees together, and use your calf muscles to lift your knees up along with your hands and the gearshift ****. But be careful not to give yourself a black eye or bloody lip when it pops!

 

Pfft, amateurs.
Put the shifter in second gear, grab **** with 2 fingers on either side of the shaft and pull back and up. Should pop right out and no need to straddle anything or get hit in the face by a suddenly released shift ****.

 

PULL!

 

open your sunroof so that you don't bang your head on it when it comes free!

The first time is the hardest (isn't it always?)

 

Bingo . That's exactly how I've been doing it.

 

Thanks that worked

 

Which of the suggestions worked?

I'd offer my own variation combining suggestions #1,3, and 5, but it sounds like you got it off. . .

 

shoot, i can pull it off with two fingers...

course, having popeye forearms might help a little

 

is it actually glued in the first place ?

 

no, they have a jig on the assembly line where some fat *** sits on it.

 

Are they hiring? I have some in-laws who need meaningful employment.

 

So how does a new **** go ON the shaft in the first place once you remove it? Is it simply Just press down on the new **** onto the lever ? Im contemplating getting a JCW alcantara shift boot and a new blue leather Mini **** to match my black/blue seats is why i ask...

 

If it's a stock MINI **** (JCW or one of the color-matched ones) just put it on and push real hard with the palm of your hand until it snaps into place. It's a friction fitting.

 

Ahh, Cool! Sounds easy enough... Thanks for the info !

VT

 

I've found that the best way to remove the stock shift **** is to pull up to a red light along side some wise guy in a Honda. When the light turns green and you start accellerating agressively - you'll soon attempt a shift into second. After that you can pull over and retrieve your shift **** from the back seat...

 

I got a new Momo Competition **** for Christmas.

Thanks for sharing this simple method of stock **** removal! NAM is such great place! I followed these steps and you're right it just popped right off with little effort, kind of surprising but it works!

 

How different is the stock **** on the R53 from the R56?

Here are some photos of a removed R56 **** and bare shift lever:
http://www.robincasady.com/ShiftKnobs/Installation.html

 

The Whalen shift mechanism rocks BTW !!!