Hi- I'm trying to replace the boot around the shifter. There doesn't seem to be an easy way to remove the handle part with button, and i'd rather not break my new boot to get it on. Any suggestions?

edit - its a 91 240 station wagon

 

I'm a newbie, so you may want to wait to hear from a more reliable source, but... it sounds like you have a shifter with an overdrive button at the top.

You have to pry the top of the shift know and disconnect the overdrive switch (see blurry photo #1 below), and then "secure the shift lever assembly in a soft-jawed vise", and use an open wrench and a mallet to tap out the **** (see blurry photo #2).

Seems to me like it may be easier to pull up the boot, undo the bolts that hold the shifter lever down, pull the shifter lever up and out, and remove the boot from the bottom. I'm not sure how realistic this idea is, but I will be pulling up my shifter tomorrow and can let you know if it'll work or not.

photo #1


photo #2

 

I think you're going to have to go at it as illustrated. Not sure what you can use instead of a vise - a really really good hand grip to twist the top off?

Mine was too rusty under the boot to successfully remove all bolts. Good luck. --san