shift lever removal

[Nobles41]

Trying to replace the inner gearshift lever boot on a BA10/5 on my '87 truck. Any suggestions on how to remove the upper part of the shift lever?

[Eagle]

Brute force.

 

There was a special tool for that job. I needed it a few years ago so I went to the dealership and hit up my friend, the shop foreman. He sadly informed me that they had cleaned out and reorganized the tool room a couple of years previous to make room for tools to service the newer vehicles, and that was one of the tools that didn't make the cut. He said they probably had it for twenty years and he never saw it used.

[sloride]

A vise, hammer and a pickle fork. I've done several this way. Clamp lower portion of shifter in vise and use the fork to separate the shift lever.

[metrictonner]

On my 88 the whole shifter is easy to remove and re-install, boots, flange, shifter and all.  Sounds like you are trying to remove everything while leaving the lower part of the shifter attached to the tranny.  Try pulling the whole shifter...no problem.  BA should be BA 87 or 88.