2012 A4 S-LINE
Might be a silly question, but how do you take the shift **** off. Is it a simple counter clockwise turn or is there more involved? I do not want to rip or dammage the boot.

 

I assume the 2012 is the same as my 2011. I've had mine off a couple of times.
First, pull outward on the side button and place a zip tie or piece of wire between the button and **** to prevent the button from falling inward when you remove the ****. You then need to unclip the boot from the console. It is held by two clips on each side and is not hard to remove. Grab the boot and pull towards the shifter and upward. It will pop out. Then pull the boot up over the **** to expose a clamp around the base of the ****. You need to cut it off and then just pull up on the ****. It will come off easily. To reinstall, you can use a zip tie or small gear clamp on the collar instead of the original style clamp.

Edit: Just noticed it's a manual, so the release button will be different I guess. I would think the boot and **** removal will be the same.