Gear stick rubber gator

[party7]

I'm looking for a little bit of guidance if anybody can help please.
I'm trying to replace the torn & mankey rubber gator which fits around the gear stick and seals the top of the transmission tunnel with a new one.
After removing the gear knob there is a large splined ferrule which is preventing me from getting the new gator over the gear stick, does anybody know how to remove the ferrule from the gear stick? I have tried unscrewing it with a pair of grips but it doesn't want to budge and I don't want to force it in case I break something.
Hopefully the picture makes things a little clearer!

[v8s4me]

It’s difficult to tell from your photo but typically the ring at the bottom of the splined bit unscrews and reveals 1 or 2 grub screws. Undo these and the splined bit should lift off. The splined bit should be glued to the inside of the gear knob and come off with it.

[party7]

Hi Joe thanks for the reply which was spot on!
As usually happens after sleeping on it everthing seemed so much easier when I went back to it!
Unscrewing the black ring revealed 3 grub screw which then allowed the splined bit to be removed.
I then realised that it was part of the mounting for a long gone gear knob & not neccessary - mine screws directly onto the gear stick.
Anyway another job ticked off the list!

Thanks again