I'm having a hard time disengaging the shifter cable from the ball-and-socket joint of the shifter. Is there a trick? I tried pivoting it while pulling, but without success. Which direction should I pivot the joint, toward driver side or passenger side?

Any suggestion is greatly appreciated!

 

I just pryed it ever so carefully with a flat blade screwdriver and it just 'popped' off.

 

Yeah dave, I had the same problem, don't worry about it, you just have to yank the crap out of it with the bottom joint with the ball directly over the joint. You might try using a small screwdriver or socket extension as a pull bar just past the connection point on the ball. Hope this helps just use some elbow grease my friend........

 

Thanks, guys!

I yanked it so hard, the cable is now slightly bend. There's gotta be a trick here!

 

Nope, you could try greasing up the ball and joint with some lube or something depending on how crusty and old those joints are but I installed the PROMINI shortshifter and no broblemo, sure I bent those links but your not going to break them, you might even take them out of those to metal clips coming into the gearlinkbox up towards the front of the car. Try that and if that doesn't work you need to go down to a local petshop and look for an 800lb gorilla. That should clear things up.

 

Since my car is only a few months old, there are plenty of grease on the joint. My last resort - do you know any 800 lb gorilla for sale?

 

If you happen top be local;to the SO cal rea Steve at Steves auto clinic has it down to a science. He has developed a special tool and they pop off the first time . Give him a call 818 891 6109 .He has helped out several bungled home attempts already. Its not a really difficult install but the small plastic retainer breaks easily and for what a shop should charge you its not worth the risk in my opinion.

 

HEre you go...

 

HEre you go...

 

Thanks, Max! Unfortunately, I'm no where near SoCal.

What are you referring to when you mentioned the small plastic retainer? I didn't noticed any plastic retainer on my 2004. Is it different due to modification on the 04s?

 

Dan, Thank you so much for the huge "detailed" picture! :smile:

The 04 does look different. I'll take some photos while I'm down there under the car.

 

>>Dan, Thank you so much for the huge "detailed" picture! :smile:
>>
>>The 04 does look different. I'll take some photos while I'm down there under the car.

I went through the same problem. Here's how I did it. Grab the socket with pliers and 'spin' the socket on the ball as if you're trying to get it to spin 360 degrees. It should pop itself out once you go far enough. Prying it off is a bad idea.

Paul

 

>>I went through the same problem. Here's how I did it. Grab the socket with pliers and 'spin' the socket on the ball as if you're trying to get it to spin 360 degrees. It should pop itself out once you go far enough. Prying it off is a bad idea.

Thank you for the advice, Paul! I'll try the spinning technique. :smile:

 

Hooray! I finished installing the short shifter.


The "spinning" or "pivoting" technique is how the socket of the joint eventually disengaged from the ball of the shifter. Brutal force of pulling just didn't work for me, and resulted in a slightly bent cable.

 

davecsumini,

"as the socket rotates laterally and superiorly"

Reminds me of my years as a surgical tech. Very much doctor speak.

 

>> "as the socket rotates laterally and superiorly"

 

>>>> "as the socket rotates laterally and superiorly" :smile:

 

>>So Pilo's picture posts were a definitive help right? I like that in a supplier.....I'm gonna buy something from him.......... :smile:

Because th 04's design is a little different, I had to use a different point of insertion and position. Pivoting and rotating is the key to disengage the ball from the socket. :smile:

 

About to install the ss (helix) tonight... I have an 2004... any suggestions!?!?!