[V8] V8- 5spd shifter R&R call for help!

[J123fs at aol.com]

Hey folks,
Trying in vain to finish the R&R work on the new to me car. This is of  
course the last item on my to-do list and is proving to test my kinship to  
Sispphus....I'm done for the day-need a mental break and more than a few beers  
to calm my frustration.
Here is the issue:
Shifter on my 5spd feels like a stick stuck in a can of mud- zero  
precision, ect.
Got the repair kit, started pulling the heat shield off trans to access an  
arm up into the bowels of the car to take the linkage off- all stuff done 
on my  old 5000tq. I did not remember it being so hard- and I definably had 
more access  that's for sure on the other type 44's I have done this on in 
the past- the V8  is jammed in there and has zero access from the engine 
compartment.
Here's where I stand:
Have linkage with ball socket removed from trans and upper mount popped  
off.
What I cannot figure out for the life of me is how to remove said linkage  
and get at the business end to replace the ball and socket.
Doesn't look like it could go out through the engine compartment, and  
doesn't seem like it will clear the accordion boot and be extracted via the  
interior.
Does ANYONE have any BTDT on this??
Do I need to remove the center consol and pull the boot out with the  
linkage?
Ohterwise how can I replace the ball and socket? Drop the trans? Not.
 
Thanks to any help in advance, I'm hoping someone has some knowledge here  
(Ron??)-
I have the factory manual for the car but it has nothing specific on the  
procedure, and I got rid of my 5000 Bentley two cars ago, so diagrams are  
something I do not have, and the family album is helpful, but has no procedure 
 stuff in it.
Thanks again,
Jack