what a fucking nightmare getting the gear knob off today i wish i never started
right the gear knob is a splined fit with a keyway no glue just a tight fit (which i found out to late)
first i tried twisting it off no good even with eagle beaks on it it took the outer rubber off and left the metal part underneath
next after drilling the middle i realised i couldnt tap it and pop it off with a bolt because there not enough of the top of the shaft to push against, so i attacked it with a hacksaw and cut down one side and across the top then prised it open with a big screwdriver i got it off now only to discover ive bent the top inch of the gear stick (twisting it with eagle beaks) where the splines and keyway are and cut to deep and took the edge off the keyway.
cue basil fawlty impression in the garage
after trying to fit the new bottom part of the gear lever the bit with three grub screws to the shaft unsuccessfully because the shaft isnt round , i filed an 8mm bolt down to fit in the keyway shaft to give me something to tighten the grubscrews on too worked fine , but because the shaft is bent it wont go on straight so when you pull the shaft up to put it in reverse it is a bit tight going into the bottom of the gear knob.
its on in a fashion but i think im going to buy a short shift or a new gear stick assembly.
moral of the story either dont bother or dont get a ruff arsed pit sparky to fit it!