Removing shift knob and leather shift boot?
 

I want to repair/replace the leather shift boot on my '85 Targa, but how does one take off the shift knob. A quick look in my Bentley's shows removal of an '87-89 knob by prying out the middle of the knob.

My '85 has a stock? black shift knob that doesn't look like it has a removable center piece.

Also, does anyone know - do I need to remove the entire center console, or will the leather ship boot simply lift off once the shift knob is removed.

TIA & happy holidays!

The way I have heard of removing the factory knob is to use an open end wrench pressed to the bottom of the knob, and whack with a hammer. Sometimes this will destroy the knob though. If you are lucky and don't destroy your factory knob, you will need a new crush washer.

Don't whack too hard - tap,tap,tap and it should slide off. I was able to reuse the crush washer...

Uuuuugh. 915 transaxles are so neanderthal! Crush washer? How barbaric.

Now, where's my champagne and caviar?