(Ok, i'm sure I must just be looking at this all backwards, this has got to be something simple.... but anyways...)
I had to remove the shift levers and cover from the transmission since one lever had popped out of position. I'm trying to reassemble everything now but I can't seem to figure out how to get the spring back onto shift lever?? It's the spring that sits on top of the dust/grease "cap" (looks like an upside-down funnel) and is held in place by a thick C-clip on the shift lever. All the pieces are back in place but I just can't seem to squeeze it down far enough to get the C-clip back on!? Is there some special tool I need? Has anyone does this before and have some neat trick??
I supported the gear stick assembly on a work bench and slipped a +/- 12 inch long pipe about the same diameter as the C clip and gave it a bit of a whack with a hammer and on she went. It may sound very crude but as they say here in South Africa "n Boer maak n plan"( a farmer makes a plan)