is there a secret to removing the shifter? I have a much better facia plate to replace the old one with. Struggling to get the shifter **** out so I can replace the it. Any tricks?

 

If you haven't sorted it already, remove the top of the shifter ****. You'll have a small circlip to remove and then a 3/4" nut that should be secured lightly to the shaft. Once you have those two impediments out of the way, pull upwards. There is a rubber o-ring that will give some resistance but beyond that, the **** should surrender itself to you.