Shift Linkage removal help?
 

Repost from a thread in the Turbo section, looks like this part has a lot more traffic so here goes:

I have recently acquired a Schnell short shifter kit, and have been busy trying to install it. The kit replaces part of the stock shift linkage, and after following the directions it would seem like it should be fairly easy to remove the stock linkage from the car. However, it appears that the gear selector shaft has rust welded itself to the linkage.

To make it a little more clear, I'll provide pictures (click on the thumbnail and then view full size):
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/4...kagepic.th.jpg

I have so far tried:
PB Blaster/penetrating fluid
love taps with a small hammer to wake it up
Light prying with a short crowbar
Robogrips, channel locks, and pliers
C clamp (tried to press the linkage off the shaft)
... And now a 2 ton capacity puller can't even get it off.

And still no success. Can anyone here shed some light as to how I can get this removed? The instructions have been helpful up to this point, but nothing on clark's or google has revealed anything I haven't already tried

Looking at your picture, and with no experience with this part, is it possible to "tap" the piece that you are removing parallel to the transmission rather than perpendicular?

The set screw is removed and there is a round shaft in a round hole. I am guessing that if it were all cleaned up, greased, and no set screw, that you you would be able to spin your part around that shaft. Maybe tapping it in a parallel direction in reference to the transmission rather than perpendicular, it might help to loosen it to get it off.

I do not know if there is anything you could damage by tapping it in this direction. If it were my car and I was working on this project I would try it. Transmissions are usually reasonably durable. :)

I've seen you post here with no help, so I thought I would look at it a little better to see what I would try next if this was my project. Let me know when and how you got it off and if this idea helped at all.

That should come out with lots of PB blaster and a tie rod puller. Soak for 2 days and use the puller.

+1 on the PB Blaster, puller, and maybe some heat.

Can that little part take a beating? It looks small and I am guessing there is not much force on it while shifting,

No heat you will destroy the selector shaft seal.

Just a two jaw puller, like a $10 tie rod puller from Advanced.