[MD427]

This is one of those questions that's almost too stupid to ask, but here goes anyway.

I have a T-56 with an 'original-style' angled shift lever and knob mounted in a Contemporary Classics.

I need to replace the torn/dry rotted shift boot, I know the knob spins off, and then there should be an allen set screw underneath to remove the reverse lock-out lever, and then i can replace the boot.

Should be simple enough, but a gorilla must have spun the knob on because it isn't budging by hand. Next step will involve some sort of strap wrench or long handled channel locks, but that makes me a little nervous.

A) I'd rather not mar the knob surface.
B) I'd really rather not damage the shift lever itself.
C) I'd really really rather not damage any of the linkage arms or trans internals by exerting too much force in the wrong way on the wrong piece.

So if any one has any tips/trick on how to gently deal with a stubborn shift knob, I'm all ears.