shifter removal...

ok, how the hell do I break the shifter off my trans without gouging it to smithereens? This is a 5spd.

-GLH

depending on the year ect, some have 4 10mm bolts on the top of the shift tower, remove the bolts and lift the shifter off. Others have a inner cup in the top of the shift tower, its spring loaded, push down on the cup, roate about 1/4 turn and lift shifter out.

It's a 94, 22RE 5spd. So it doesnt unthread? I did see under the primary boot, there is a tiny boot on the tranny itself, does this unbolt, before I go scraping through all that nasty grease

I did see under the primary boot, there is a tiny boot on the tranny itself, does this unbolt, before I go scraping through all that nasty grease [/quote]

Under the main boot, you seen the small square boot, pop it off, should just slide up the shifter, there will be 4, 10mm wrench size bolts, take them out and the entire shifter lifts up and out, or if its a round shape boot, slide it up the shifter and you will see inside the shift tower a silver collar with a squarish slot the shifter is coming through, push down on it and turn I believe counterclockwise and it will unhook and the shifter will lift out. Toyota has a SST (special service tool) but a little thumb pressure to push it down and turn it works fine.