AX-15 Shifter

[dkutis]

Evening all. First post for me and need a little help.
I recently bought a '88 YJ with a bad Peugeot.
I am in the midst of doing the swap to the AX-15 and can't find any post on how to remove the shift stem from the transmission. Specifically, I need to remove the black stem that extends into the cab that the knob screws onto from the short shift post that is connected to the transmission. I need to swap the stems out from the old trans to the new.
Someone must know the trick.
Thanks!

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Not sure they interchange but here is how to remove the shifter from AX15 and AX5 trannies.

Remove the rubber boot at the base of the shifter. Depress the spring loaded ring inside the shift tower and rotate it while depressed. The ring will unhook from the shift tower and allow you to pull the shifter out of the tower.

 

[dkutis]

Thanks Bounty Hunter for your reply. I have been able to remove the shifter from the tower that bolts to the top of the transmission. What I need to do now is remove the powder coated upper piece from the steel piece that goes into the tower. Any help there?
Dave

 

[Junkpile]

I don't think you can just switch the sticks around between the two towers, but I really can't visualize the two setups in my head right now... it's been a while since I've had to mess with either one...


Maybe you could just cut each one off of the tower below the boot and then weld the good stick back on the nub of the one you are replacing. I did that in my little pre-runner Ranger in order to change the position and height of the shifter knob.

 

[dkutis]

Sorry for the confusion, the shift stick that came with the ax-15 was butchered. Someone welded a coarse thread to the end maybe for a custom knob. I tracked down a good used one on ebay. I want to swap them out. My secondary goal is to replace the rubber boots. I found replacements but I doubt I can stretch them over the bell housing at the bottom of the shifter. Inside the bell there is what appears to be a rubber bushing with steel clips that i assume hold the upper shifter to the shifter that mounts to the tower and goes into the transmission. This is the connection I can't get apart.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

That connection is made to come apart, but I've never been able to do it. Transfer case shifter has the same type connection.

 

[dkutis]

Bingo! I have seen several posts but never a answer. :?|
I do need to reuse the upper shifter for the t-case so I am hoping someone can shed light on this.
If all else fails, I am going to take the cutoff wheel to the bad shifter and disect it. With a little luck, I can get the answer. If I go this far, I will take some pictures to share.

 

[dkutis]

Well guys, curiosity got the best of me. That and the fact I didn't feel like working. Pulled out the power tools and dissected the bad shifter.
As I suspected, the rubber and steel inside the bell is bonded in place. The steel tabs have a formed bump to grab the lower shifter.
With a little loving, and what speaks love better than a hammer and a couple screwdrivers, I had the good shifter off. You do need to hammer the lower shifter out of the bell housing. I used the edge on my trailer for this task.
Everything worked great. Here are a few Photos if anyone can use them.
Thanks for all your help. I will be posting again with other newbie questions. Thanks for your patience.

 

[dkutis]

I can't seem to upload any other photos. If anyone needs them, let me know. I will email to anyone.

 

[lah2420]

A little late now, but I used a vise. I had 2 small bolts that I cut off to leave about 1/4" of thread and used those in the vise to press in on those tabs. When they were in, I pulled on the shaft until it came apart.

 

[mcgrnr0013]

A little late now, but I used a vise. I had 2 small bolts that I cut off to leave about 1/4" of thread and used those in the vise to press in on those tabs. When they were in, I pulled on the shaft until it came apart.

this confused me even more.. do i push the tabs toward the center to remove it or do i push them away from the center. and do i need to push all four sides at once or what. sorry guys but this is really giving me a hard time.
rebuildin my transmission seemed alot easier than separating these two halves haha.