i have taken my own off before because i got an aftermarket and then went back to stock, but i found an i30 leather handle at a junkyard and can't get the damn thing off for the life of me! i tried loosening it with a flat head screw driver and pulling like crazy but couldn't get it to buldge. has anyone else removed one of these before? wondering if i should take the whole ebrake handle portion with the metal in it and just swap that into mine but would rather just grab the handle...

 

Just take the whole metal portion and save your self some headache.
Thats what I did after Dubbya told me of his experience.
Its the easiest thing to do, plus it eliminates the chance of damaging the handle.

 

45 minute job to swap the whole thing.

 

You're right Jep, the e-brake is a stubborn ****. I tried getting my off the other day, it's harder than the shift ****! My e-brake handle/shift **** just showed up last night, so more input would be appreciated. Destroying the e-brake handle is Plan Z.