Shift Boot Install? Pics, this doesn't make sense...

phoenix_iii · 10-18-2008, 05:07 AM

http://picasaweb.google.com/bencaputo/ShiftBoot#

Links to my album. Installing new shift boot I got from egay before I know we had them for reasonable prices within the 944 community

Anyway, I am trying to do the final install. I don't see how I am going to stuff all the material in place and then get the center cap on. The center cap has 3 legs, can only go in one way, pretty straight forward.

Not only is this new boot thicker leather, but it is not cut (and it doesn't look like the rennbay one is either) for the three legs... so how are they supposed to hold everything down and go in? I guess the material that gets stuffed in should NOT block the holes for the clips... input really welcome

From Shift Boot

phoenix_iii · 10-18-2008, 05:36 AM

I just started doing that and wanted to post progress!

http://picasaweb.google.com/bencaputo/ShiftBoot#5258487013896632178

http://picasaweb.google.com/bencaputo/ShiftBoot#5258487018915311426

Aslet · 10-18-2008, 05:48 AM

First, that boot does seem to have REAL thick leather... My replacement was not nearly as thick, so I was able to just bend it nicely and shove the cap on. Maybe you can just cut some of the extra off with scissors? Just cut the areas of plain leather, not where the seams are. Another trick is to wet that area of the leather, stretch it nicely into the hole, and then use a heat gun (hair dryer) on it and it will shrink up alot and become very tight, this may give you the clearance you need. GL...

exitwound · exitwound's Garage

I had to cut out little pieces of leather and fold them under the cap to make it fit the best. The leather covered up the holes that the tabs plug into. It looks fine though and works well once you get it set up right.

phoenix_iii · 10-18-2008, 05:55 AM

trying wet...

phoenix_iii · 10-18-2008, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exitwound

I had to cut out little pieces of leather and fold them under the cap to make it fit the best. The leather covered up the holes that the tabs plug into. It looks fine though and works well once you get it set up right.

Can you explain this a little more?

phoenix_iii · 07:03 AM

Well, it's 'on'... I use the term loosely... Because it's not flush, it's too thick, and well... f~ cheap cosmetic s~. Oh well.

I'll spring for a nice one soon or look for some one parting a car. =)

*edit*

Now it will not fit on the actual mounting point for the plastic boot holder... because the leather is too thick. SENDING BACK to seller, advising others to stay away...

Of course I bought this on the recommendation of a forum member who 'thought' this was the right seller where they got theirs... *argh*.

*edit*

I got it on with marginal satisfaction, but once I put it on the retaining ring (was worried about breaking it, but took my time and got it), it could NOT snap into place because the base elastic and leather are too darn thick. Compared to the original, it's almost 3x thickness... :banghead:

Ordering from Rennbay...

exitwound · exitwound's Garage

Rennbay is where I bought both of mine, the boot and the cap. I was unaware that the one your purchased was not of this product line. However, It was still quite a day's work, with lots of tugging, twisting, stretching, and a little minor cosmetic work to get it to fit. My shift knob, though, is damaged from the previous owner looking to do this himself too with a flathead screwdriver, mauling the cap's mounting points. So, as mine doesn't fit *perfectly* it looks pretty good after a little bit of work. I had to snip out maybe a square 1/8" to make room for one of the cap clips.

Catamax944 · Catamax944's Garage

Mine was even harder to do.My car is a 86' and had the early style knob,don't realy know why.I didn't want to buy another knob so i had to cut a hole in the top of the knob so the cap could go in.Took me about three hours to finish it but it came out great.The cap and boot are from rennbay and i realy like the leather the boot is from.

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phoenix_iii · 05:25 PM

Lol. New 944. Rennbay boot. thinner leather, same problem... Can I get some tips/pics/technique input? Grrrr! reusing plastic cap.

*edit*

Lol... finally got it to work. Rennbay boot is better than ebay boots for sure...

I just kind of bunched it up, and started to install the cap from an angle, and while 'rimming it' (shut up), used the cap to keep the material captive under the cap. Keep leather out of the 3 holes for the little legs to sit in, but some how the leather compresses and fits along the sides/walls. I would rate mine an 85%, but I'm not going to miss out on living to keep working on this.