What is the trick to get the plastic bushing into the lever that connects the floor shifter to the rod that goes to the transmission?

Put it in hot (boiling even) water for a minute or so, fish it out (especially if you use boiling water) with a pair of needle-nose pliers and get it installed asap (as soon as you can touch it)

Gilly

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I tried a lot of things, and resorted to cutting it with a razor. They are holding up just fine. Don't forget to replace the one at the transmission. It will be just as brittle as the shifter one.