i have a problem here. me and my freind were trying to put a new shifter plate in my 92 firebird automatic and couldnt get the shifter handle off. he told me that most handle will just unscrew. i think this is wrong, b/c i think i just stripped it. now i can turnn it 360 degrees both ways and cant get in gear. its not a problem if its broken i know where another one is but i need to be able to drive my car. does anyone know how to fix or take off the handle so i can at least drive. Do i need to cut it open?

 

is it an automatic or manual? manual I'm assuming...

 

nope sorry its auto.

 

there is a little c clip in the back of the shifter handle you can pull out with a pair of small needle nose pliars. after that the handle lifts right off. be careful not to brake the plastic rod in the shaft...that's what presses down and releases the shifter to move...sounds like you may have broken it already. if so go pick one up at the yard for a few bucks. only manual handles are threaded. automatics always have the c clip.

 

thanks for the info. i tooke the handdle off. but do i need to replace the handle or the shaft or both?

 

doubt that the shaft is broke at all. if it's not going into gear the problem is most likely with the handle or the plastic piece that goes in the handle. if the plastic piece is ok then it's gotta be the handle.

 

should the plastic be able to push down to put it into gear?. i can do it with my finger underneath but i can push the little *** down

 

yeah. with the plastic rod in the shaft you should be able to push it down to change gears.