It can be removed and the axle shift shaft locked in place with a clamp or something. I used a kinda wire loom or hydraulic line clamp.The ones that are rubber coated in thier circular part, with the two ears to put a bolt through.I slid it in and around the shaft after slideing the outer gear toothed ring over the teeth on the axle shafts ( thus locking the 2 together as the vacumm motor would) and squezzing it closed and put a nylon tie wrap through the hole in the ears of the clamp. OR even a small hose clamp will work, like a fuel line size.