Centre Consul Gear Stick Hole S4 Elan

[RichardHawkins]

The centre consul on my Elan is broken. I have managed to buy a replacement, but the replacement has no hole for the gearstick.

My old centre consul has a ragged hole that is not round and is approximately 3” diameter.

Can anyone tell me what the hole diameter should be and where the hole should be located?

Richard Hawkins

[Ray419G]

Richard,

Please see the photo of the hole in my S4 tunnel moulding, it measures 2 3/4 inches diameter and the top edge is an inch from the front edge. (So the centre of the hole is 2 3/8 from the front). As you can see, the hole is more or less round, though a bit is nibbled away on the left hand side, not sure if this is the work of a previous owner or the factory, however I am pretty sure the moulding is original for the car.

Ray.

[MACCA.GLM]

Hi Richard

To get the hole rt its best to measure from the dashboard to the centre of the gear lever when in neutral take a reading . Then take a reading from the either side of outer part of the gearbox tunnel to the centre of the gear lever when moved left to rt in neutral again.You can then draw the reading on to the console .This will give you a couple of co ordinates to drill your hole. try a smaller hole first say 2 inch diameter with a trepanning tool or a hole cutter, then try it out
you may have to make it bigger on the bottom left side as you put the lever into reverse.

Don't cut the hole to big as it looks awful when the rubber dosent cover the hole you can always take more off but you cart put it back.

Good luck

Regards
G

[elanman999]

Richard,
I assume you have a new gaiter that you are going to use? If so just measure the gaiter to find out what size hole you need. Cut that size of hole in a peice of cardboard and mount the gaiter onto the cardboard.. Mount the old console in the correct position. Mount the gaiter and cardboard onto the gear lever. Fix cardboard onto old console and use this as a pattern for you to cut the new console.
Cheers
John.

[RichardHawkins]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the advice and guidance. I have measured and checked, made dummy bits out of hardboard until I ran out of time and energy. I am now on grandparent duties until next week. I hope the hole I cut is in the correct place!

Richard Hawkins