Fitting a new gear gaitor?

[JamieG172]

Anyone got a how-to guide (preferably with pictures) of how to replace the leather gaitor around the gear stick on the 9n?

cheers,
Jamie

[blazeguarder]

Haven't got a proper guide for it, but I believe the VW replacements come with the knob and gaiter as a single piece?

Anyway, to remove the knob, first remove the plastic trim piece around the handbrake. This is only held on with clips, so just give it a pull, use a screwdriver for leverage round the front of the panel as I find it sticks here a bit. Then remove the rubber insert from the storage area in front of the ashtray. Remove the two Torx screws that are visible and lift up the trim piece around the gear lever. Unplug the cigarette lighter wiring. The gear gaiter is held on with four plastic tabs which need to be bent to remove it, but since you're replacing it you can just break them. The gaiter and knob can then be removed by pulling out a pin in the gear lever, and it just pulls off IIRC.

Hope this helps.

[RUM4MO]

Yes the gaitor comes as part of the knob/gaitor assembly, but its cheaper to buy a new leather gaitor from ebay - I sent an original leatherette one to an ebay place that made up leather gaitors and they returned it with a new leather gaitor. Take very great care when removing the gaitor and frame from the console as if you follow my advice you will need to reuse this frame when you buy a new leather gaitor from ebay - the 4-off plastic lugs are easy to break. After removing the staples from the old gaitor maybe use strong thread to fix it to the new gaitor. Getting the gear knob off the gear stick - its fixed on using a crimped ring, ease open the two crimped points with two small screwdrivers maybe as you will need to reuse this ring. Its all very easy just you've worked out what needs doing.

[JamieG172]

Thats great - will get the leather one ordered tomorrow, thanks for your help guys.

J