Help! Can't remove shifter housing
 

I'm trying to remove the shifter assembly housing from my '88 Carrera but the shift rod doesn't appear to be able to move far enough to the rear of the car to clear the housing. I have the Bentley manual which seems pretty good all the way up to that last step where it just says, "Remove shift lever assembly."

Pelican searches are returning a bunch of 915 related stuff.

Aaagh! What's the trick?

Thanks.

Remove tunnel cover from the back seat floor area. Disconnect the shift rod under it. Move the rod to the side and rear.

Thank you derkpitt, I did have it disconnected--2nd to last step in the Bentley manual.

I ended up pushing aft on the rod pretty hard with one hand and wiggling the shift assembly out with the other. I couldn't get the rod in the back to go on either side of the coupling--it wouldn't clear the big rubber gasket.

Hopefully putting it back won't be too much of an issue.