Alright, I read up on install university's plug and wire swap but they failed to mention whether or not the metal shield on the plug-end of the wire comes off with the wire or not. Is that what you pull on or do you pull on the wire itself?

 

I just pull the entire heat shield out with the wire. The heat shield is not connected to the boot in any way. It just fits in there snug.

You can pull on the wire and the heat shield will come with it, usually.

 

Do not pull on the wire. Pull on the shield to lift it up then pull on the boot. (that is if the boot doesn't come off with the shield).
NEVER pull plug wires from the wire.

 

glad i asked then. how hard should you have to pull on the shield?

 

hard enough so they come out