I cannot, for the life of me get my shift knob off. After turning it counter-clockwise for one rotation, it stops. it seems that there is some sort of bushing in the bottom. How do i get this thing off?!

 

I was wrong, there was no bushing. the screw tread was really messed up which prevented any turning.

 

Is it the thread on the shifter or the inside of the knob that is damaged?

 

It was on the shifter. the inside of the knob seems fine.

 

ouch, I have not had to replace my shifter and have no desire for a short shifter but a few other members on here have swapped/replaced them.

 

Swapping shifter's out is fairly simple. Our shifters are compatible with Evo 8's so you can buy one for and VIII and it'll work fine. I bought one off ebay for like 30$ and changed out the base bushings as well. Was straight forward.

i added an evo 9 shift knob as well bc the stock one was longer than I liked