I have looked at the Haynes manual and I can't figure out how to get the gear shift out of the trans. I have taken off the circlip, bent all of the loc tabs straight and it still won't come out. I assume plastic dome nut unscrews counterclockwise. The trans is in the tunnel so room is at a premium. I can't get any spanners on it. I am thinking about making a 1.75" bent spanner to fit it. Any ideas????? tks Russ

Yep! Plastic dome nut unscrews and it all comes out together with the tab washer thing. There's a spring underneath, which you have to force down whilst trying to screw it back on.
Cheers
Jon

I straightened the tabs and grabbed hold of the whole lot wearing a thick welding glove to unscrew it. Worked for me, may save you making a tool.

David

That worked for me too!

Thank you, thank you, thank you. It worked like a charm. Shifter out. bent, and reinstalled. Now I can reach the shifter with the seat slid back and drive like a F1 driver. Too bad it is raining and we are getting our first traces of snow this year. Oh well, wait for another day. I'm not as hardy as you bolkes. Russ

Make sure you bend those tabs over properly, it's crap when the lever comes off in your hand as you change gear. Happened to me the other day

Hopefully sorted now, but it's tricky to get to when it's in position

Gear lever falling out used to be a common event on Mk1 & 2 Escorts