Gearshift Improvement Kits

[Alan Paterson]

Chaps & Chapesses,

I recently fitted a gearshift improvement kit from Espritism (Malc Holmes) and have been greatly impressed by the difference it has made. I thought my gearchange was okay, but I now know how bad it was as I now know how good it should have been.

It now goes into gear easily, with no real notchiness(if that's a word). The distance between the gears is shorter in gearstick movement terms. It doesn't need so much effort to change gears now either.

Following the instructions, I was able to remove the old parts, change the translator bearings and refit everything. I needed a bit of help with the final adjustments to cable end lengths and luckily PitstopPete had already had the experience of having done his.

It was great to have someone nearby who'd done it all before.

My car is one of the early Stevens Turbos (No 6 off the production line) and I'd recommend that anyone with an older car should do this upgrade.

I bought the stainless (Superior) kit as it included a new tie rod, but regardless of which kit or where you get it - I'd say do it.

On another note, I fitted a new rubber gearshift gaiter which I bought at Donington a year ago.

Now, I've fitted three of these in my time and each time they've split.

This time, I fitted the screws through the holes in the clamping ring and stretched the base flange of the gaiter on to the ring. Then I smeared Loctite silicon sealant between the ring and the gaiter. I then screwed it all down into a bit of soft chipboard and left it to set overnight.

Next day, I tackled getting the small orifice at the top of the gaiter over the shift collar on the gearstick. I felt sure I'd have to cut it to make the hole a bigger diameter, but first I thought I'ds see how far the existing hole would stretch.

I held that end in hot soapy water for about 10 mins, then poked my finger through the hole. Guess what? - It split!

Has anyone fitted one of these without cutting it and not having it split?

It would just be nice to get it right.

Alan

[mwmackenzie]

I have also done this!!! and it split!! do'

[lotus4s]

You are supposed to cut the hole a little bigger. IIRC, the boot was actually made for another application like a cv boot to go over a smaller diameter shaft. Just cut the hole a little bigger and it works fine.

[Jonathan]

Boil the kettle and soak them in a cup of stinking hot water, they slip over very easily then as the rubber becomes supple

[martynv]

Chaps & Chapesses,

On another note, I fitted a new rubber gearshift gaiter which I bought at Donington a year ago.

Now, I've fitted three of these in my time and each time they've split.

This time, I fitted the screws through the holes in the clamping ring and stretched the base flange of the gaiter on to the ring. Then I smeared Loctite silicon sealant between the ring and the gaiter. I then screwed it all down into a bit of soft chipboard and left it to set overnight.

Next day, I tackled getting the small orifice at the top of the gaiter over the shift collar on the gearstick. I felt sure I'd have to cut it to make the hole a bigger diameter, but first I thought I'ds see how far the existing hole would stretch.

I held that end in hot soapy water for about 10 mins, then poked my finger through the hole. Guess what? - It split!

Has anyone fitted one of these without cutting it and not having it split?

It would just be nice to get it right.

Alan

Alan,

I've done this recently if you rest the lift tube upright on a bench with the roll pins hanging over the edge and then coat the inside of the gaiter with washing up liquid ( I used Fairy liquid ) you can than grasp the bottom of the gaiter with one hand either side and pull the gaiter down over the lift tube. I was amazed it went over and did not alter the gaiter in any way. When you put the self taping screws through the gaiter its best to do one at a time gradualy pulling the bottom of the gaiter to the outside of the mounting ring, first punch a hole in the gaiter with a sharp object and then coat the screw with washing up liquid this will stop the screw from snaging and tearing the gaiter. Once you've got all the mounting screws through the gaiter give them another squirt of washing up liquid and screw in to the car and all will be fine honestly :yes .

Bye

Martyn

[Alan Paterson]

I'll have to give this a go on another rubber gaiter. It would help if they only cost a few pence each and not

[matk]

Had to laugh, I was watching a second hand one from an S3 Turbo on eBay, went for