Hi Ben,

The color-matched plastic sleeve will slide off, although it is very tight.  Pull the knob and just keep pulling and twisting on the plastic cover and it will eventually slide right off the shifter.  Once you get that out, everything else there is pretty straightforward.

Regarding the splines where the front and rear rods meet, they do not have to be all the way in.  That just gives you some room to adjust.

Regarding the bushings on the rear - I have not tackled that yet.  My van is difficult to shift into second.  I have replaced everything but the bushings near the tranny, so let me know what you learn back there.

Warren Lail
88 Westy "Billy Bones"