Hey guys, I appolagize if this is a re-post but Ive tried searching google and yotatech to no avail. Ive bought a new shifter seat, nylon shifter bushing and new boots for my '83 4x4 pickup, but for the life of me I cannot get that stupid shifter retainer out. All the writeups say just push down and turn. It will not push down no matter how hard I try (both hands, all the weight I can get on it in that awkward position) I tried needle nose pliers and still nothing. The spring isnt bound up, I can lift the shifter up agaisnt the spring just fine and the retainer wiggles around a little when I do. But it will not drop down into the flange at all. Anyone have some insight into why this thing is refusing service? Thanks

 

Try a screwdriver and a hammer. Works every time for me.

 

maybe spray it with a little pb blaster and wait a while and try again? Mine came out pretty easily. So your saying that yours doesnt feel like the spring wants to compress at all?

 

Now, just to clarify, we are talking about the transmission shifter right, not the transfercase?
When I changed mine out i had to press down and turn it counter clockwise to free it.
But if you are talking about the transfercase: it uses a snap ring.
Hope that helps.

 

Mine was a major pain to get out, took a weekend of soaking to get out.
Push down and rotate to the left about a quarter turn and it should pop out.

 

yup, talking about the transmission. I dont think lube will help as it wiggles around, its not stuck it just wont go down. I can compress the spring by lifting the shifter up but the retainer just wont budge, even though it rotates a little on the pins that hold it in. I'll try the screwdriver idea.

 

when using the screw driver/hammer method be careful that you don't split the retainer, guess slice it with the screw driver blade is better wording.
If you have a small diameter steel rod that you can use to pound it to the left, it will help keep the retainer was getting too fubarred.
If mine had not come out I was going to make my own SST, grind down a socket that or section of pipe that would be notched to match the retainer and slip that over the shifter, it would allow you to get a large pair of channel locks or a pipe when on it...

 

I have tried. I now propose that engineers be forced to put their name and contact info on everything they design. That way you can fix the problem on whatever level necessary... but anyways I tried several screwdrivers with a hammer but you cant hold both sides down with one screwdriver and I only have 2 hands, I tried a small pair of vice grips and can push it down until it stops and turn it a little but no matter how hard I reef on those damn pliers it refuses to release. I can now push it down all the way with my thumbs but it refuses to turn when I do. There is now gouges in it from the screwdriver but I just cant seem to figure that method out? How do you hold down both sides and turn it at the same time? A 6 yr old could have designed this better...

 

Have you tried to get a small screwdriver through the slots to see if there's pieces of the old rubber preventing it from turning?

 

When I converted my W56A shifter to the press/twist type of shifter seat, I found it easier to unbolt the shifter from the transmission and then work on it on my little work bench. Had better access there and I recall using something to press down on the retainer while using a pair of vice grips to hold and turn it. It was about 8 years ago I did that, so don't recall what exact tool setup I used:



- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...Shifter/4.html

 

here is a pic out of the manual that shows the SST:


since i had the idea of using an old socket or some tubing I thought I would give it a shot. 6 minutes with the grinder I had this:
1" square tubing, notched and bent in slightly to fit in the shifter retainer


slip it over the shift lever

use your tool of choice, push down and turn to the left about a 1/4 turn

bingo:

 

Thanks Robb, the SST seems the only way to get this wreched pile out of my transmission. I'll see what I can come up with, thanks for the help!

 

Well I made exactly the same SST as you did Robb, and she worked like a dream with a small pipe wrench. Thanks alot for the idea, it really took some torque to get it to release. The new shifter seat and bushing didnt make much difference. Its a little tighter and returns to neutral a bit better but the shift throw is still way longer than any other toyota Ive seen. At least now it doesnt push the cigarette lighter in with the shift knob Thanks again!

 

good deal. I know what a major PITA these retainers can be