Self harm to centre console

[Mark Elder]

Guys,

The only disappointment with my car is some damage to the centre console (done before I purchased it - I'd assume some girl in sharp heals had been careless where she put them.)

It hacks me off whenever I see it or clean the interior and I've recently been trying to find a way to get it re-covered (OPC wants around £700 for new part!).

But today I've been gliptoning the leather gaiter to the gear lever and realized the cause of the damage is something sharp on the gear lever.

In this photo my finger is pointing at something that feels like a clip that has cut through the gaiter:

And in this photo you can see what happens if you push hard into reverse gear:

Anyone else seen this problem?
What is the clip?
If I remove the gaiter can I move the clip around?

I actually don't think the damage has got worse since I've had the car, so I think a previous owner must have been a bit violent engaging reverse. But I can't believe this is "normal" so I'd like to solve the cause of the problem before I get the centre console re-covered.

Mark

 

[harry]

Why don't you phone around the 2nd hand places and ask for the parts?

Harry

 

[zwhitea]

That clip looks like the split clip which attaches the gear knob to the shaft.? (No36 in the diagram)
Maybe its come away.. Does the gear knob move or twist at all.?


cheers adam

 

[Mark Elder]

ORIGINAL: zwhitea

Does the gear knob move or twist at all.?

Adam, thanks.

No, it does not, but I see what you mean from the picture - it could be partly off and about to fall apart.

I need to open it all up anyway to get the console replaced, so I'll do that and will probably learn what's going on when I can see under the gaiter.

 

[RHT45]

I'd have thought a dent specialist could sort out the damage at minimmal cost. They seem to be able to do amazing trim repairs that are virtually invisible.

 

[Pickled Piper]

The centre consoles turn up on ebay for just a few pounds. Usually, from people who are stripping a 993 for racing or trackdays.

pp

 

[Mark Elder]

ORIGINAL: Pickled Piper

The centre consoles turn up on ebay for just a few pounds. Usually, from people who are stripping a 993 for racing or trackdays.

pp

Yes, they do - I've been keeping an eye open for probably a year - but they are never in black!!

But I have found a guy who can re-cover it.

However, not much point until I've found a way to get into reverse without the clip and the console bashing each other.

So I take it no one else has this problem?

 

[clyde]

Mine is generally tatty but I don't think at that point. I'll have a look tomorrow.

E-bay's fine if you want a light grey or blue one []

The gaiter is just kept in place with 4 (I think) push fit clips and can be easily prized up, so you should be able to check out the strange clip thing.

 

[ubertub]

The gaiter can be pulled up easily, and that is the no 36 clip in the diagram, but it doesn't come into contact with the console on my car. I wonder if your console top has moved back slightly?

 

[frf]

This is a well known problem for which Porsche has made a TSB in February 28, 1995 with the title Damaged Leather Shift Boot. I have a PDF file for this TSB but, unfortunately, I don't know how to include it in the reply.

 

[Mark Elder]

Francisco,
I have emailed you so that you can "reply" with the PDF attached to that.
Would be good to understand how to resolve it.

Thanks
Mark

 

[frf]

Hi Mark,

I've just e-mailed the TSB to you.

 

[Mark Elder]

Thanks Francisco, got it.

Very interesting. TSB applies to 1995 C4s, mines a 1996 but it gives me enough clues to see what's wrong (I think).

The position of the gear stick in the console window is adjustable (at least forward-backward). Mine must be too far forward.

Now need a few moments of daylight to check it out!