This is a manual trans. We removed the 20" rod as described that is above the drive shaft connecting the actual shifter to the transmission.

The transmission side of this rod has a rubber bushing inside the rod before the actual connection to the transmission. A steel piece comes out of the center of the bushing where the bolt will pass thru to connect to the transmission linkage.

There is also an interesting design in that the bushing has a pin that goes thru it and sticks out of a 1/4 " hole in both the top and bottom of the rod. It would appear that to remove the bushing, this pin will need to come out first.

If we get stuck I will try to post a digital picture.

Let me know if you are familiar with this piece.

Stumped,

Don