Unfortunately, you must remove the knob to perform this replacement. To remove the shifter knob:

1. Secure a plastic sandwich bag over the shift knob. Cinch with a rubber band at the bottom of the knob (top of the lever).
2. Optional: remove the chrome trim sheath from the shift lever. This sheath splits at the seam and can be coaxed off the steel lever. (I didn't actually perform this step; I was concerned with damaging the sheath beyond its ability to spring back and correctly enclose the lever. Leaving it didn't seem to hurt anything. Just be careful not to scratch it.)
3. Using an open-end wrench that is slightly larger than the shift lever, place the end of the wrench UNDER the shift knob, around the lever.
4. Tap upward on the wrench with a rubber mallet, driving the knob off the shift lever.

TAKE NOTE of all parts that come off (some may fly due to spring tension; this is the reason for the plastic bag).

Installation is the reverse of removal, as they say, only you won't need the wrench and mallet for reinstallation. Be careful that the parts are correctly lined up before applying pressure to reinstall the knob.

Hope this helps!
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Guid ('88 244DL 242k, '92 745 187k)