Removed T-handle, how to remove plastic rod?

**1batt4u** · 03-03-2012, 10:25 AM

Hi all,

I have a 2000 Trans Am V8 5.7L. I removed the T-handle shifter, took the clip out and it came right off.
The trouble I am having is removing the plastic rod in the shaft. I tried pulling it with pliers, did not come out at all!! That is weird, to me at least, becuase I have owned 3 3rd generation Trans Ams and I have not had that problem, they just come right out!

Any ideas??

**Smittro** · 03-03-2012, 12:32 PM

Why do you need to remove it, if ya don't mind me askin??

**1batt4u** · 03-03-2012, 12:38 PM

Hi,

I am making a custom shifter and will need to remove the plastic rod to do some measuring inorder to proceed with everything. Is there trick to remove it? I grabbed it with pliers pulled with strenght, but nothing, and I don't wanna do any damage.

**Smittro** · 03-03-2012, 12:40 PM

it does'nt come out in that fashion, it's part of a spring loaded mechanism that's machine pressed into place iirc.

Not usre why you'd want to remove it but hey, it aint mine..

On a side note, the reason you could just pull it out of your third gen is because it was actually broken off the mechanism inside..lol

**Smittro** · 03-03-2012, 12:44 PM

The 4th gen also uses a mechanism to keep the shifter from being pulled out of PARK until the brake peddle is pushed.

**1batt4u** · 03-03-2012, 12:47 PM

I'm also on a 3rd Gen forum as well, everyone seems to have theirs removed easily with out any problems. The plastic rod from my 3rd Gen, is in good coniditon, doesn't seem to have been proken off. Thats why I asked on the 4th Gen forum, just incase there was something different from the 3rd. SO no way to really take it off?