Quote:
Originally posted by carolinus
Is it possible to replace the leather over the knob too?
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After time the leather will just begin to fall apart. Its one piece from tunnel to top. There are two basic different makers of replacement boots (don't remember names). One is the guy that made the OEM boots and it recommends glue as part of the procedure. It's the glue that everyone I saw complained about making this a pain. The other comes in a bag with red and yellow label. I got one from partwerks for 30$.
Be sure to check the inner boot as well as I found mine to be all cracked.
Ok, This is how it went for my 84 so your should be the same (in horrible detail) the included instruction aren't great for either boot (seen both).. takes about an hour or so.
1) Pull lower edge of boot up and off of retaining clip.
2) Lift carpet on tunnel right ahead of console switches. There is a translucent plastic clip that slides under the retaining clip to hold it down.
3) CAREFULLY pry up plastic retaining ring with a small screwdriver. There are ~6 small clips that hold it to the tunnel and they break easily.
4) Pull inner rubber boot up and off of metal retaining ring on tunnel.
5) Invert both boots up over knob and you will see a "m" shaped retaining clip on the base of the knob. Remove that and the knob will lift right off.
6) There are two rubber bushings on the shift lever that sometimes also get worn. If your shift knob wobbles on the lever also replace those.
7) Remove the shift pattern button by prying it up and off with a small blade screw driver.
8) Cut (or peel) off the remains of the old boot.
9) Slide the replacement onto the knob from the bottom as far as you can making sure that the seam lines up with the groove in the rear of the knob. It's tapered so you'll only be able to get it part way on.
10) this is the only "difficult" part.. I used a small channel lock pliers to grab just the upper edge of the taper. Push down on the center of the knob and "walk" the leather up the knob. As you get more of it on you will be able to use the curved head of the pliers to lever it up. Keep this up till you have ~1/4th inch excess when you push it toward the center of the knob.
11) Using the screwdriver again, holding the boot against the top of the knob, push the escess down in the outer groove in the center of the knob. It takes a little while but eventually it will conform and start to stay in the groove.
12) Hold the leather as tightly as you can all the way around the top center of the knob and press the button back on (pay attention to the position relative to the front of the knob). It may take a whack from a mallet to seat it tightly.
Installation is just the reverse of removal. The new inner boot is folded accordian style in the tunnel.