Shift Boot ?

[tau166]

Has anyone changed the boot on their shifter (manual transmission obviously)? I was thinking about getting a new one, but it seems that the boot is quite big where it meets the console and I wasn't sure if an aftermarket boot would fit. Also, has anyone taken their boot off? Does it just pop out or do you have to take the console apart and remove it from the bottom?Thanks

[joatmon]

I don't know if there are any aftermarket shift boots, but the original one is realtively easy to remove. There's some bendable plastic something in the bottom of the boot, and you can just push it towards the shift lever to get it out of the slot that holds it in place. I haven't taken mine off all the way, but I can feel some sort of c ring that seems to be holding the top in place, so I guess if you unscrew the knob, pop out the boot bottom, you can lift it all up to get to the top retaining ring. There's a thread here somewhere (I can't find it) about some adjustment, tightening of the shift linkage under the boot that gives a better description.

[Vibe Rater]

I'd like to find an aftermarket boot too. The stock boot is very cheap and flimsy. Mine is not seated right in the console either. Anyone else have this problem?

[tau166]

quote:I'd like to find an aftermarket boot too. The stock boot is very cheap and flimsy. Mine is not seated right in the console either. Anyone else have this problem?what do you mean exactly? When I got my car I noticed that the silver plastic piece was tucked under the lip of the console towards the bottom of the shifter (close to the little compartment). My dealer fixed it quickly and no permanent marks. If you just mean the "leather" part you can adjust that fairly easily. Just grab it and shift it around. The boot is just mounted in there with a plastic ring that is flexible.

[tau166]

I have answered my own question. I decided to take a dive and ordered a new shift boot to go with the new shift knob. Long story short: it works (see pic below). Long story long: I got an Ichibahn sitch series shift boot to go with my Ichibahn shift knob. The shift boot has elastic at the bottom. The elastic stretched a bit more than enough to fit around the stock boot housing. So, here is the crappy part... You need to use the stock boot to get the right shape. I didn't feel like cutting mine up so my stock boot is actually underneath the new one. If anyone knows the part number I'd consider buying an extra stock shift boot to cut up and make this work a bit better. Anyway, yes you can replace/cover your stock shift boot in a Vibe.

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