S4s rubber shift gaiter help

[fmxa]

Anyone ever changed the rubber gear shifter gaiter under the center console? Mine's split/fallen apart and the fumes are getting a little over-powering! Trying to figure out the best way to do it, any tips etc appreciated.

Cheers,

Paul

[Jussi]

Does this help at all?

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EModificat...3_Gearknob.html

[s4simon]

Bought mine cheaply last year at the Stoneleigh Parts Fair (which is this weekend ).

Trim the top off - and just slip it on and screw it down.

[mchlrodrigues]

Anyone ever changed the rubber gear shifter gaiter under the center console?  Mine's split/fallen apart and the fumes are getting a little over-powering!  Trying to figure out the best way to do it, any tips etc appreciated.

Cheers,

Paul

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You'll need to remove the gear knob and center console to get to it. It's held down by a steel trim ring and 4 sheet metal screws. I actually think the boots are vinyl. Does anyone know if they're still available?

I saw photos of someone replacing one with a universal gaiter, that I believe they bought from Halford's, but I can't seem to remember where I saw the post.

I see now it was Simon.

[fmxa]

Thanks for the tips! I'm guessing the easiest way is to remove the gear stick and pull the new boot up, vs trying to pull the boot over the gear knob and down?

Paul

[s4simon]

I had already changed my knobby over to a Momo type - and as such it was easy enough to take back off.

So it was - remove the whole gearstick, remove knob, trim a fair bit off the new gaitor (as it splits sooooooooo easy - Dam things like tissue paper).

From memory I bought mine for the equivalent of US$20. They were half price last year at the UK Lotus Parts Fair.

Have you bought the new gaitor yet ??

How much are they over there ??

[lotus4s]

It's not necessary to remove the gear shift to install the boot. Just cut the end a little bit as noted, grease it up with some lube (liquid soap works well) and slide it down over the gear shift knob.

I've heard that the boot from a Jeep CJ will work but have not tried it personally.

Cheers,

Jim

95 S4s

[fmxa]

Simon, it runs ~$49 in the states and no one has them in stock right now (two week plus wait). If you see one at the parts fair for ~$20 I'll be more than happy to buy it from you!

Thanks for the tip Jim, I'll be certain to lube my knob up when I install it

Paul

[ragingfool35]

I've heard that the boot from a Jeep CJ will work but have not tried it personally.

Cheers,

Jim

95 S4s

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I just used the Jeep CJ on my SE. $7

pics on my website under the "MODS" section

http://web.tampabay.rr.com/redrocket

[lotus4s]

Simon, it runs ~$49 in the states and no one has them in stock right now (two week plus wait).  If you see one at the parts fair for ~$20 I'll be more than happy to buy it from you!

Thanks for the tip Jim, I'll be certain to lube my knob up when I install it

Paul

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I knew that was coming.......no pun intended

[CNH]

The Jeep part does work but the stick will have a stiffer feel when shifting.

Incidentally the reason why the hole is so small on the OEM part is that they use the same rubber gaiter to seal and cover the front/rear side marker lights on the Esprit with wire passing through the very small opening (saw this at Keen Young's house when he lifted the body off the frame). I had a chuckle at someone trying to fit the small end of the gaiter on the stick without cutting the opening larger a while ago.

Calvin

[fmxa]

Thanks everyone - I'm going to look for the OEM part first (may be someone will find me on at the part fair this weekend), otherwise I'll try the jeep part.

Paul

[s4simon]

Paul, I'll keep my eye out for you.

Postage (airmail) would be another tenner on top.

If I get lucky we'll sort it out later.

[s4simon]

Sorry Paul - No luck what so ever.

Must have done ten laps of the parts fair today and didn't see any.

In fact, on my list of twelve things to buy - I could only find one item.

[mchlrodrigues]

I just used the Jeep CJ on my SE.  $7

pics on my website under the "MODS" section

http://web.tampabay.rr.com/redrocket

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What year CJ-5 or does it matter?

You know how parts counter guys are - year, make, model, even S/N at times.

[ragingfool35]

What year CJ-5 or does it matter?

You know how parts counter guys are - year, make, model, even S/N at times.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ITEM# DESCRIPTION QTY TOTAL

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

5752010 SHIFTER BOOT 1.00 $7.50

Ship Via: FEDERAL EXPRESS - RESIDENTIAL GROUND

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.jeep4x4center.com/cj5/Gear_shif...s_and_Knobs.htm

boot for T4, T5 and SR4 transmissions

the reverse inhibitor lift tube looks a lot thicker on the S4 though

http://web.tampabay.rr.com/redrocket/Red%2...ket/shifter.htm

Edited November 14, 2005 by ragingfool35

[mchlrodrigues]

ITEM#          DESCRIPTION                            QTY    TOTAL 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

5752010        SHIFTER BOOT                        1.00 $7.50 

Ship Via: FEDERAL EXPRESS - RESIDENTIAL GROUND

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.jeep4x4center.com/cj5/Gear_shif...s_and_Knobs.htm

boot for T4, T5 and SR4 transmissions

the reverse inhibitor lift tube looks a lot thicker on the S4 though

http://web.tampabay.rr.com/redrocket/Red%2...ket/shifter.htm

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you very much sir.

[andrewp1989]

Here is another excellent source of the inner rubber shift bellows for the Esprit.

The floor mounted boot from a Ford Feista (from the mid 1980's). The small German made Ford . . . not to be confused with the Ford Festiva (late 1980's to early 1990's) designed by Mazda but built by Kia. Fine vehicles both.

I get the shift boot at the auto wreckers for $1 or so. They are thick black textured rubber and rather durable compared to the Esprit original. Fit perfectly at the base and seal really well (so long as you trim the top like you would on the Jeep version).

I have a spare one or two.

AP

[fmxa]

Thanks everyone, I ended up getting the real-deal Lotus part for about $34