I inadvertently discovered the correct position for the lower gear shift lever locking collar....after futzing around unsuccessfully trying to get my shift **** off I must have bumped it into the wrong position - there's two detents, one which holds the locking pin in place, the other doesn't. I ended up reversing in the parking lot at work holding my gear shifter **** with the shaft, the leather boot and the lower rubber boot in my hand! Talk about embarrassed!! But everything happens for a reason - I was then able to take the whole assembly to my vice to get the shift **** off...turns out that a previous owner had glued the frickin' thing on!! No wonder I couldn't budge it while it was attached to the car. Replacement **** on hand now installed sans glue. All I need now is a replacement leather boot, which is the reason I was futzing with it in the first place.