"Chewed Up" Reverse Lock-Out
 

When I installed my new TWM shifter, I noticed that the reverse lock-out on the factory shift assembly is pretty chewed up (the tab on the blue piece in the photo). It engages with a corresponding lip that is made of much harder material, and that other part shows no wear at all. Since this is with only 15,000 miles, and engaging reverse about 700 times or less, it may be something that starts giving trouble to SS owners in the future. On the other hand, it might continue to work fine until it is completely worn away. So, just FYI.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...koutLowRes.jpg

Mine was messed up when I got my car, was a dealer trade from about 400 miles away, guess somebody didn`t know how to use the reverse lockout, dealer installed a hole new shifter, tried to get him to let me keep the old one but he said it would have to go back to chevy because it was warranty:( but it works perfect know, how much better is that new shifter and did you get the weighted shift knob ? also after tearing up your factory knob did you find an easier way to remove it afterwords? of is it just pressed on:cool:

The factory knob is a pretty tight press onto a splined shaft. TWN suggests prying it off with a couple of screw drivers, I got no where with that approach, and ended up putting a fastener into the threaded hole at the end of the shaft, then using a gear puller pressing on that and hooked under the shift knob, that worked easily. I did not get the weighted knob. The aluminum one can be a bit chilly in cold climates I would guess, and I suppose the stainless would be less so since the thermal conductivity is much lower than the aluminum, but hey that's what driving gloves are for.

The factory knob comes off very easily. Just turn the boot a quater turn and pull the boot down. Then you just need a small torque bit to unscrew the screw holding the knob on. It's on the side facing the rear of the car. No need to pry anything off!

This works for all years, auto and manual. For an auto you simply turn the chrome sleeve on the shaft.

On a SS :confused:

Why would the SS be any different?

it`s shorter and different looking from the regular HHR I drove first, I`ll check it out later and see it the boot comes off like you said.

Thanks :thumb:

I know that the auto has the same style. As my sig says though, I am often wrong!

I just noticed the same thing on mine!