has the gear knob got a plastic lower piece? If so just twist it and it should come off leaving the top piece separate. The top piece should pull off and then you will leave the chrome shaft.
Hi,
If its the same as my 97 C230K you will have to unclip and lift the gear shift gaiter up over the gear knob to access the plastic lower piece of the gear knob, but otherwise as NWmerc says.