Originally Posted by FromG2Z

Ok, I did some more research and came across this:

DIY Shift Boot Install

So I went ahead and purchased a strap wrench and those locking pliers. I needed the strap wrench for my oil filters anyways, so why not. So I might try this route... use the strap wrench on the shift knob to avoid marring it up.

So based on this picture below, is this also what you did? It looks like E-licous actually used the vise grip on the rubber boot ring, not on the shaft itself... Was that the same ring your were talking about? And you were certain that when your wife held the vise grip in place to the shifter shaft, it didn't slip or turn as you worked on the shift knob???