What Holds Handbrake Handle and Boot Onto the Handbrake?

[wrxnofx]

I'm finally getting to some of the more cosmetic, niggling issues in my 911.

From the day I bought it, the handbrake handle and attached boot slide off the end of the handbrake whenever I try grab it to engage or disengage the handbrake.

The button at the end doesn't move, just the handle and boot. In fact, the whole mechanism works just fine.

"Normal":


"Extended":


Two questions:
1. What holds the handle onto the shaft? Is there a clip that broke? A pin that sheared? Does the handle screw on?

2. Is the boot connected to the autoheat cover correctly? It seems like no. It's like the boot is supposed to go inside of the cover, but it's actually sitting on the outside of the cover so you can see the end of the material. It's still connected somehow, though.

[DRACO A5OG]

The end that wraps around the heater console is held on by an elastic strap, pull that off. You have removed the button screw on cap, it should now slide off. There is a rod underneath.

[wrxnofx]

Thanks for the reply, Jim. I'm confused, though. I am not trying to get the handle and boot off, I'm trying to keep it from sliding off. What holds the handle to the shaft? I didn't remove the button you highlighted in red. It's still on there. Or does that button hold the handle on? That is, did the PO do the install backwards? Does the handle push on and then the screw screws it down or something?

[DRACO A5OG]

Yes, the button needs to be screwed down to keep the handle in place, If crossed, you need to replace it because it will never tighten down.

[wrxnofx]

Okay, I've unscrewed the button and removed the handle/boot, and mine is different clearly.

There is no lip inside of the handle for the button to hold it on. The handle just slides over the button. From the looks of the remaining handbrake, the handle is glued on:


Looking at the remaining parts, it appears that I'm missing a piece in there, too:


Here is the PET for my '87:


In my pic you can see the remains of the rubber ring, #39. I don't see #38, the guide sleeve. I looked down in the shaft of the handbrake and I don't think it's in there.

So it looks like I'll be gluing the handle back on with some newly ordered parts from our host.

[universeman]

That leather boot is the aftermarket one that slides onto the handbrake shaft. You have to cut the plastic handle (#2 in your diagram) off in order to fit the leather one on. Once it's on, they recommend gluing it. I didn't glue mine, and the friction between the handle bar and the leather keeps it from sliding. Maybe try wrapping some electrical or duct tape around it before you order parts.

As luck would have it I happen to have the installation instructions for the handbrake boot right here at my desk, so I posted a pic of it. This is the part that is sold by PP and I bought from the site (two versions, make sure you get the right one for your heater handles):

[wrxnofx]

Jason, that helps a lot. Thanks for this! The elastic on the base of the leather part is not very elastic-y anymore. I guess I ultimately need to decide if I want to go back to stock, if I want to refurb the existing boot, or buy a new one...

[universeman]

My .02 is: for now, glue that boot onto your handbrake. Rationale: (1) Doesn't stop you from refurbing the handbrake later if you want, (2) cheaper than a new boot ($80), (3) the leather boot looks better than the rubber bellows IMO.

But if you do decide to go back to stock, I have my rubber bellows that I'll give you. One tiny tear but otherwise perfect. Don't need it.