I got a new trim plate to go around the auto shifter on the 245. How much of a pain is it to pull the shift knob off? Is the overdrive switch going to get torched in the process? Any tips or tricks ?

Thanks

Derek.-
87 245

I love Art. I wish I had as much time to document my projects as he does. :)

You can also do what I do, which is to cut a very fine slot in the front of the shifter cover, between the two screws, and slip it over with a little coercion. Something tells me that when I hit MY shifter with a hammer, it's gonna break....
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 87 244DL, 88 245DL, 90 745GL, 84 242DL project, 89 244 parts, 88 244DL to replace the 87

Hi Derek,

Getting that knob off has been described as scary. There aren't that many parts to go flying off into the back seat. I made these pictures in hopes it would demystify it somewhat:

Excellent write up!!! Thank you, I've been trying for years to get that damn knob off, always afraid I'd bust it. Five minutes after I read your post and saw how it was actually put together I had it popped off.

Anytime I've needed to work inside the shifter cover I've used a jeweler's saw to cut a thin slot in it. Now I can go to the junkyard and replace my slotted covers with whole ones. Thanks again!

-Sean

The hammer/wrench didn't work for me. I ended up doing a tw handed pull and about impaled the shifter into my forehead.

My chrome strip was all cracket up. It ended up being replaced with two zip ties for now.

Thanks for the great info.

Derek.-

Art:

Your previous set of pictures gave me the info needed to remove the knob, the new ones are over the top! Once again, thanks for the help about 6 months ago!

ps. When are you going to do a full photo documentary / rebuild instructions on an AW-71? (Just kidding!) Perhaps a video DVD???

Thanks again,

jorrell