Gearstick Gaiter

[Russats]

I've added a picture, is it the golden ring that is crimped on that I need to remove to change the gearstick Gaiter, seems a little heavy duty for its purpose. Apparently they break during removal.... Where can I get another and what are they called please?

[insanitybeard]

Yes, that clamp needs to be removed to release the gear knob, they're called single ear Oetiker clamps I believe, good luck finding somebody who'll sell you just one in the correct size though. I've still got my old one I opened up when I renewed my gear lever gaiter, if all else fails I could post it to you, I managed to get it off without breaking it.

Like you say, it's overkill really, and if you haven't removed it already you may find some of the lugs break off of the bottom of the gear knob in the process of trying to remove it. Being that the gear knob has a ridge on the inside (arrowed below) where it slides over the metal shaft which engages in a groove in said shaft, it's fairly secure anyway, for that reason when I refitted it I just used a cable tie, in the 18 months it's been like that not once has the gear knob managed to come adrift.


[attachimg=1]

[Russats]

Thanks that's what I was thinking if it breaks would a cable tie be good enough. Does the gear knob feel loose at all without the metal clamp? I'd imagine you'd need some hefty tool to fit it back on too 😒

Also what did you use to prise it off/open

[Mirez]

I've had a cable tie on mine for about 4 years now, as long as its man enough for the job it'll be fine

[Russats]

Ok..... Got it off.... What's next? Lol

[insanitybeard]

I assume you mean what's the next step in order to remove the gaiter? You have to remove that black plastic collar that clips onto the base of the gear knob- be warned, it's not easy to do as it's got a ridge around the inside which locks over the plastic 'disc' on the gear knob above the lugs where that metal clamp goes. You need to use a fine flatblade screwdriver to gently ease the ridge in the collar over the 'disc' on the gearknob:

[attachimg=1]

[Russats]

Mine looks different doesn't it?

[insanitybeard]

Nah, I think you're being deceived because the lugs and inner part of the gear knob in my pictures is white (it's not the original fitment gear knob, I found a new VW walnut effect one for sale that matched the dash and door trim insert walnut effect strips fitted on my Galaxy- and the later Mk2 ghia models in general) that's all, it's exactly the same:

[attachimg=1]

[Russats]

Ok great I'll have a look when I get home.

Cheers


I'll report back soon lol

[Russats]

Got the new gaitor on
Only thing is I didn't note its position now the stitching isn't where it should be.

Also Horta fix it on the other end where it was stapled to the plastic trim

[insanitybeard]

The stitching is usually at 90⁰ to a straight line drawn from front to rear of the vehicle. I used a stapler to refit the gaiter to the plastic frame when I renewed mine but recall that not any old stapler would do, it had to be quite compact to stop the 'nose' at the end of the stapler fouling the lip on the plastic frame.