NickC4S

Just had the aluminum shifter and e-brake for my birthday, from my wife, who has great taste and is very perceptive in her understanding of my next upgrade.

Have located the DIY from Robin's site and was wondering if there were any Rennlisters who had performed this DIY who could offer tips and traps before my attempting?

I might get the energy up for the task this evening if it is a couple of hours job. How long will this take?

Seems like most of the same parts need to come off - from the inside of the car - on the short shift kit insatllation. Should I kill 2 birds with one stone?

Thanks, as always, Nick

nile13

Nick, what color is your current brake lever and what kind of shape is it in? Leather?

NickC4S

Nile13, Black leather, great shape. I'm going the upgrade route to factory aluminum, to match sills. Interested? Nick

KeithR3

Pictures of the new toys once installed please.

nile13

I probably am. I have gray interior with wood shifter and brake handle. Thinking of swithing them to black.
Could you shoot me some pictures and price?

Chris C.

Start with the parking brake off!

NickC4S

Looked at the DIY on Robin's site, and had the new aluminum factory shifter out last night and am still not quite sure about unfixing/fixing the shifter.

New shifter has an allen screw. So that look straightforward. However, could not feel a corresponding screw on the old shifter. Is this a push fit situation, or is there a fastener in there to deal with?

Be interested in any help here as this will be the weekend's fun.

Thanks, Nick

mike cap

Nick,

As Kim said, your original shifter has a center rubber section that friction fits over the steel vertical shifter. Thre is no set screw to remove or loosen. It can be VERY difficult to get off and, in my case, was impossible. I finally had to cut through the side of the shifter leather and rubber to relieve the compression on the shift lever. I happily thru the shifter and booties in the trash can. It's not worth an hour of sweat and swearing to get it off - if it doesn't come with a little pulling, get out the razor knife and cutters.

NickC4S

Kim & Mike,

Thanks. That probably explains why there aren't any take-off shifters for sale!

I will try to make time this weekend to get this done.

Thanks, Nick

Chris C.

Like Kim, I got my old shifter off by breaking it loose at the base using a pair of vice grips. Grip it hard and twist to get it loose, then pull up hard and look out!

NickC4S

Job done.

Took one and a half hours. Very straightforward, with no issues. Thanks to Robin for the P-car site, and Gert Carnewel and Robert Henriksen for specific instructions.

Here is the before.

NickC4S

Here is the after.

Gear change feels more positive. I like the feel much better than stock.

I didn't include the small rubber pieces - sleeve and cover for shaft - so will have to see if I get an y high speed vibrations. At low speed shifter is really solid.

Thanks to all who helped. Nick