Gearstick Gaitor Conundrum

[Diver944]

Here's a teaser for you all. Look at the picture below and notice that the bottom right corner of my gaitor has come away from the plastic ring that secures it into the oblong aperture. Now I have had this gaitor for more than 10 years and 80,000 miles and it has always fitted perfectly. Surely the leather has not suddenly shrunk?

I am thinking that maybe something in my linkages has worn and now the throw of the gearstick has increased, especially when selecting 1st, 3rd or 5th and it is pulling the gaitor off the plastic ring. The gear change itself is absolutely fine, with no problems.

So my learned friends, is it the gearstick end or the linkage at the gearbox end. Ooooh by the way I changed the gearstick end about 12 years ago.

 

[andy watson]

Hi Paul,

Mine did this and I found that the plastic ring had broken, I take it it's not that simple?

 

[Hairyarse]

From memory I thought the bottom hem of the gaitor was elasticated so it just pops over the plastic ring?

 

[Eldavo]

Yup it's elasticated - you're probably reading too much into it and you've just pushed down a bit on the slack and it's pinged out.

 

[zcacogp]

>GazesIntoCrystalBallMarked"DiagnosingProblemsWithSmiffy'sCar"<

Nope, not getting anything .... [:'(] I'm with Eldavo, you just pinged it off by accident when reaching for the mints in the glovebox.


Oli.

 

[Diver944]

Thanks guys, but I don't think I explained myself fully.

It's been doing it for a few months now and I have slipped it back on again dozens of times. The ring is not snapped and the elastic slips over it without problem. A guy on Tipec thinks maybe the elastic has stretched, so I'll check that again over the weekend.

I do still think the lever might be moving further forward than it used to, but when you get a gradual change over the years its difficult to notice [&:]

 

[zcacogp]

Your explanation seems a reasonable one and, if so, then you are simply into finding the problem. Gearstick-end is easier but you've done it fairly recently. Gearbox-end is harder.

I'd start by pulling the gaiter all the way off and looking to see what the gearstick pin is doing, and going from there. Replacing it with some S/S rod and putting some 968 bushes on the end of the shift rod won't be at all hard for a man of your skills and will cost pennies. It will also enable you to change the bushes in minutes next time they get worn.


Oli.

 

[Eldavo]

Replace the gaitor or use a dot of hot glue underneath?

 

[zcacogp]

Yes, but that would be treating the symptoms not the problem (if there is a problem as Smiffy suspects.)


Oli.

 

[Hairyarse]

Perhaps some lovely person on here has a spare gaiter you can borrow for a few weeks so fit and see if that pops off too?

 

[Eldavo]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp

Yes, but that would be treating the symptoms not the problem (if there is a problem as Smiffy suspects.)


Oli.

You can tell I work for a pharmaceutical company

 

[zcacogp]

Ah. You can probably tell that I'm a doctor then!


Oli.

P.S. Some or all of this post may not be true.

 

[andy watson]

ORIGINAL: Diver944

Thanks guys, but I don't think I explained myself fully.

It's been doing it for a few months now and I have slipped it back on again dozens of times. The ring is not snapped and the elastic slips over it without problem. A guy on Tipec thinks maybe the elastic has stretched, so I'll check that again over the weekend.

I do still think the lever might be moving further forward than it used to, but when you get a gradual change over the years its difficult to notice [&:]

Paul,

Ah! you may have a point, my plastic ring under the gaiter is still broken - but the gaiter no longer comes away, not since I had the plastic cup renewed which the gearstick sits in to stop it all being a little sloppy.

Maybe its that?

 

[Diver944]

Cheers guys.

Oli I just checked my receipt folder and I replaced the gearstick back in 2003 so maybe it is that end (the easy end) that has worn again. I'll try the gearstick pin, 968 bushes and the plastic cup as Andy suggests.

I'm glad that so far no one has said, 'oh your rear linkage is worn out' []

 

[zcacogp]

BTW, it's quite possible your rear linkage is worn out Paul.


Oli.

Well someone had to do it - he'd be unhappy otherwise!