Hey all, I've read all the posts about removing the OEM 6MT shift ****, seen the diagrams, and read the experience people have had. I've tried removing it, but can't seem to get it off. I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong. According to:

https://g35driver.com/forums/showthr...highlight=****

I should be clamping the "shifter shaft". Is this the black plastic piece below the shifter? It's not metal, right?

So I've tried clamping the shifter shaft (if the black plastic piece is it), then twisting counter-clockwise on the **** by hand, and it won't budge. I even got a friend to try and help me by holding the clamp while I twisted the ****, but no luck. Am I clamping the right thing?

Here's a picture of my trim off. Is the circled thing the thing I'm supposed to clamp?

Pull the shift boot/trim piece up to expose the shifter. Use a vise grip to prevent the shifter from turning. For the actual shift ****, I used a pipe wrench. Also, put either a towel or a piece of cut hose around the base of the **** to prevent any scratching.

You have to use a lot of force in turning the wrench because the shift **** is secured with loctite.

you could also pull up the white foam to expose more of the shifter.

Thanks. Sorry for my ignorance, but is that circled piece in my picture the "shifter" you mention that I'm supposed to clamp? I always had the impression that it would be some silver metal piece as opposed to plastic.

Also, on here:
http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/Tutor...nd_Replacement

Step 6 mentions a "metal shifter-shaft". Now I'm getting worried. Is that black piece in the above pic the "metal shifter-shaft"? Doesn't seem metal to me.

I put quite a bit of force into trying to get it off already. Should I be worried that I screwed up the linkage? How can I tell if I messed it up?

Ok, so I finally got the **** off. Damaged my OEM one in the process though (guess the rubber hosing I put around it to protect it wasn't thick enough.) Anyways, it required two people to do it. The OEM **** was really on there. When I got it off, I noticed that there was adhesive on the threading. So if anyone in the future's trying this, ya, it does require a lot of effort.

^ yes nm3th mentioned it has loctite on the shaft. I had no problem removing mine. You just need a large pipe wrench for a good amount of leverage and thick piece of rubber or something else that you can tighten against without marking the shifter. It's important to have a solid grip to prevent twisting of the shaft itself.