[79 Phoenix]

Anyone know the best way to remove a factory hurst shift handle?

[bhill86]

Take either a nice rigid feeler gauge or I think I used a razor blade, and wedge it between the handle and the little isolator on the drivers side only. Then pull on the handle and it should slip out. May take a bit of trial and error but there is a clip inside that is moved out of the way and allows the handle to slip out when the razor is inserted.

[4zpeed]

Originally Posted by bhill86

Take either a nice rigid feeler gauge or I think I used a razor blade, and wedge it between the handle and the little isolator on the drivers side only. Then pull on the handle and it should slip out. May take a bit of trial and error but there is a clip inside that is moved out of the way and allows the handle to slip out when the razor is inserted.

This ^ ^ ^





Frank

[79 Phoenix]

Great! Thanks guys for your help... and the picture!

[79 Phoenix]

I inserted a .01 feeler gauge and it still isn't pulling out. I've soaked in pb blaster and tried different angles with the feeler gauge but no luck. Any other suggestions?

[23337 YT]

The divot in the base of the handle is down the middle. That's where the feeler gauge has to go. If it's been a while since it was removed the penetrating oil will help but it will still require some muscle to get it out.

[79 Phoenix]

Originally Posted by 23337 YT

The divot in the base of the handle is down the middle. That's where the feeler gauge has to go. If it's been a while since it was removed the penetrating oil will help but it will still require some muscle to get it out.

Does the hole in the shifter handle corespond to the first hole in the housing (circled)?

[bhill86]

I’m going off memory but I think the clip is a little further down than the hole you circled.

[23337 YT]

If you can get the feeler gauge in about 3/4" deep, you should be clear of the locking tab. I've never had luck with a feeler gauge, too bendy. I have an old, cheap, putty knife ground down so it's narrow enough to slide in. Maybe it's me, but they never seem to come out easy. It may help to make sure the handle is pushed down into the shifter body. There shouldn't be much play, but if the handle is pulled upward the locking tab can bind with the divot and make inserting the feeler gauge more difficult.

[79 Phoenix]

Thanks! That did the trick! I could only get the feeler gauge down about 1/4" before it would bend. But I had a narrow putty knife like you suggested, put it in about 3/4" and it yanked right out.

[79 Phoenix]

How do you put the handle back in? I would think it should press back and snap in but it doesn't want to go. Is there a trick to getting it back in?

[John Milner]

There shouldn't be any real tricks to putting the lever back in. I put the rubber and metal retaining clips in the shifter assembly first. Then I spray the end of the lever with WD40 or something similar. It should just press back in and snap. They can be a little stubborn.

[79 Phoenix]

Originally Posted by John Milner

There shouldn't be any real tricks to putting the lever back in. I put the rubber and metal retaining clips in the shifter assembly first. Then I spray the end of the lever with WD40 or something similar. It should just press back in and snap. They can be a little stubborn.

GOT IT! I pulled one of the retaining clips out (I didn't know they came out) and slid it onto the handle and then pressed them both in together till it snaped secure. Thanks for your help John!

[4dblnkldude]

Nice, I use a butter knife.