Thanks for the detailed replies. I took the heat shield out that's directly above the muffler on my 05 Micra. It was the only way I was getting the gear assembly out. Will take it with me in boot next MOT or service and see if it's worth fitting back on lol. Not fighting with it again on the...
UPDATE: jacked it up, dropped mid pipe, dropped centre heat shield and have serviced the shifter assembly. Will reseal with silicone sealant and a couple of screws.
Did you re-attach the heat shield? If so, what washers/fixings did you use? The material left for fixing back looks a bit knackered.
I wanted to get a better look at the ball joint as shifting felt a bit notchy and dry, took the 4 torx screws out hoping to lift that plastic assembly off but I realised it's clipped in from underneath. The shifter assembly has dropped down and I can't get the screw mountings to meet up properly...