Are lotus engineers sadic perverts?

[Pistacchio sprint 72]

I decided to remove my dead gearshift gaiter and replace it by the one purchased a few month ago from Sue.
Removing was a 10 seconds job.
But putting the new one in place... Geez half an hour at least of fighting with the new piece of rubber!
I admit i swore a few times...

[gjz30075]

The console has to be removed. The gaitor attaches to a piecs of sheet metal below the console, screwed to the fiberglass. The bottom of the gaitor has a 'lips' that fit the sheet metal like a grommet. The console then gets refitted.

My new gaitor fits very loose in the sheet metal and seems smaller because it has a hard time fitting over the anti sizzle bush, which I see you have. Let me know how Sue's fits.

Greg Z

[richardcox_lotus]

Interesting, as I have to do mine. Does the tunnel trim have to be removed before refitment ??

[Pistacchio sprint 72]

I managed to install it without removing the tunnel.
I did not feel there was any metal sheet underneath the edges of the hole.
Sue ?s model fit very tight.

I guess i should go for a drive and tell you all if it stays in place.

[gjz30075]

This thread lotus-gearbox-f37/anti-sizzle-stick-boot-t29199.html shows the metal plate. Ignore the pieces of wood, as that was my attemp to raise the sheet metal for that problem.

Greg Z

[Pistacchio sprint 72]

Well, i mounted the new rubber gaiter like the old dead one was installed. The rubber lips against the fiber glass of the tunnel. I did not see any metal plate.

[Galwaylotus]

I installed mine on the console hole. It's a bit of a pain to get it to fit but a flat blade (e.g. screwdriver) works well to get the last bit to fit correctly - like a shoehorn! I do have an issue sometimes in selecting reverse in that the bottom comes loos from the console. Otherwise it fits well. I use ArmorAll to keep it from drying out.

[AHM]

As Greg says!

Sit in seat
Remove gear knob
Remove console
Attach Gaiter to metal plate
Replace console
Replace gear knob

shouldn't take more than about 5 minutes

[elanfan1]

As above is correct.

Warning to the others - may not be a serious issue but you could be allowing exhaust gasses to enter your car through gaps in the centre console seating - there is some potential for CO poisoning which may not be a good idea whilst driving.

[AHM]

Good point about the fumes!

Relative parts are referred to in Parts and Workshop manuals as:
Tunnel Top, plate and grommet

[sprinter55]

maybe a silly question but how do you remove the console ??

[AHM]

Lift it up at the back edge, and slide backwards and up. (put in 4th gear first)

it is held in place by the pressure of the plastic sides - which may be a bit fragile.