I did a search and read up on a procedure to get my shifter shaft out to replace it with a shaft converter. this is on a W126 300SD.

so i removed the wood around the shifter and disconnected all the buttons. I am assuming i need to remove the big black plastic box around the shifter to access the bold on the other end of the shaft? how do i get around to removing this? it seems to be one solid piece and bolted to the car with 4 bolts? can someone tell me how do go ahead withthis procedure?

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198? 300D ???K - Future DD
1989 300TE 285K - traded in '12
1984 300SD 186K - Sold in 08
1978 300SD 330K - Died in 05