by conkyd » Mon Dec 21, 2015 9:46 am
I thought I would add a few comments to this as I changed my switch on the weekend. Did it whilst I had the gearbox down replacing the centre diff. Funnily enough, it took as long to do the switch as it did to pull the rear case of the gearbox and replace the centre diff!
Anyways - as people have said - crows foot spanner is a must, as is disconnecting the shift linkages and removing gearbox cross members. Used the cows foot spanner on two long extensions to crack the tension on the switch and then undid it by fingertips. Now the fun really starts, after trying unsuccessfully to get the new switch threaded for around 30 mins by hand I decided there had to be an easier way.
Gently fold forward the wires on the switch and place a 21mm socket over it lightly. This provides stability and a little more leverage, got the thread started in about 30 seconds. Do up with fingertips and then finish off with crows foot spanner. You cannot connect extensions to the socket because of the shape of the gearbox.
Hat off to anyone who does this themselves, easily one of the most frustrating things I have done on a car.