what should i do in a situation like this?

[therieldeal]

^-- that is correct. unbolt the bottom of the shifter from the shift rod, and then use a screwdriver (inside the car) to pry out the retaining spring. then you can lift the shifter out.

[jamaican]

any pictures of what the retaining spring looks like?

[protégébob]

the spring might be covered in grease and hard to see, i had to dig around the grease a bit to find it when i put in my pacesetter short shifter.