Exactly what i did but the funny part is: seems like it wouldn't come loose as i'm turning it to the left so i turned it back to the right (couple times) then turn it left and right then....boom it's off.

 

I tried forever to get mine out. I still can't. I gave up at fear of damaging the shifter. I think I might cut it off when I order a new ****...

 

Why the ***** does the factory insist on securing the shift ***** on there to withstand the end of days. Makes no sense.

 

LoL!
Yo, just bring it to a mini meet, we will get it off for you..

 

i guess all the years are different. my 03 i just twisted it off by hand. remember lefty loosie

 

I just had the dealer take mine off while they were changing the oil.

 

I'm glad I go to the gym regularly so that in a couple of months, when I gained 20 lbs of muscle, I will be ready to replace my shift ****.

 

I know when I had my 03 the silver shift rod was completely exposed; but when I got my 05, the shifter was a lot fatter under the boot and had a rubber 'collar' on it. I had to take vice grips and lock it onto the collared shaft and then twist the **** with channel locks. It tore up the rubber collar thing a little, but the vice grips were tight enough that the shaft did not move.
Moral: I don't think you can hold the shifter **** tight enough with just hand strength....you need vice grips.

 

It's so funny how much trouble some ppl had to go thru for a simple shift ****. My '03, the shifter just twisted off w/ ease....