Leven Gearlever surround
Discussion
After a great Rumble around Rutland yesterday, when I got home, despite Pupp's protestations that it would take ages, I decided to have a look at fitting the Leven Gearlever surround I got for my Birthday.
It ain't as simple as it should be, that's for sure, and its partly down to the "individuality of the cars.
Anyhow, centre console (central part) came off without too much bother (thanks to pupp for the tip on the gearknob locking collar) and after much trial fitting in the partial dark, I decided upon an exact location for the surround and drilled the holes where needed.
I didn't have a hole punch for the leather to make the holes in the gaiter so i made one by grinding the end of an old brake pad roll pin to a sharp edge (works a treat)
I moved onto marking out the gaiter leather. This seems to be the tricky part - getting the holes in the wrong place will make the gaiter too long (this happened on my first attempt, too short or uneven around the surround. It doesn't help that the gearstick hole in the centre console, and hence the surround, are not round but a D shape.
I decided about 8.30 that rather than continue when tired and mess it up that i'll continue tonight - any tips gratefully received.
The gaiter material(leathercloth) is slightly damaged anyway through wear & tear so I might be tempted to obtain some correct colour vinylcloth (mulberry) and make a new one at a later date. (smiles sweetly at wife).
It ain't as simple as it should be, that's for sure, and its partly down to the "individuality of the cars.
Anyhow, centre console (central part) came off without too much bother (thanks to pupp for the tip on the gearknob locking collar) and after much trial fitting in the partial dark, I decided upon an exact location for the surround and drilled the holes where needed.
I didn't have a hole punch for the leather to make the holes in the gaiter so i made one by grinding the end of an old brake pad roll pin to a sharp edge (works a treat)
I moved onto marking out the gaiter leather. This seems to be the tricky part - getting the holes in the wrong place will make the gaiter too long (this happened on my first attempt, too short or uneven around the surround. It doesn't help that the gearstick hole in the centre console, and hence the surround, are not round but a D shape.
I decided about 8.30 that rather than continue when tired and mess it up that i'll continue tonight - any tips gratefully received.
The gaiter material(leathercloth) is slightly damaged anyway through wear & tear so I might be tempted to obtain some correct colour vinylcloth (mulberry) and make a new one at a later date. (smiles sweetly at wife).
this might sound like the stupidist question going, but how do you guys get the experience to do this sort of stuff? Is it just trial and error or are you just mechanically/practically minded? I'd always be worried about getting it wrong and ending up having to pay someone to sort out my mistakes
always used to take cars apart as a kid, but as far as things like engines go, I'm a dunce, and don't mind admitting it.
Had great fun helping Obes strip the engine bay and help in removing the engine and replacing it, in more of a muscle than technical capacity, if someone points and says take this apart I can and will, but if you gave me the techincal term and said sort it out I would probably look at you like I'd just had a labotomy (sp)but once explianed I could get on with it. I've always had great admiration for people who work with their hands, friends of mine own a car restoration company, used to love watching them prep cars. Maybe I need to do an egine maintence course?
Had great fun helping Obes strip the engine bay and help in removing the engine and replacing it, in more of a muscle than technical capacity, if someone points and says take this apart I can and will, but if you gave me the techincal term and said sort it out I would probably look at you like I'd just had a labotomy (sp)but once explianed I could get on with it. I've always had great admiration for people who work with their hands, friends of mine own a car restoration company, used to love watching them prep cars. Maybe I need to do an egine maintence course?
victormeldrew said:
matt172 said:
this might sound like the stupidist question going, but how do you guys get the experience to do this sort of stuff? Is it just trial and error or are you just mechanically/practically minded? I'd always be worried about getting it wrong and ending up having to pay someone to sort out my mistakes
Some people just have a go, and always have done. Were you one of those kids who always took new toys apart to see how they worked? If not, then you are probably right to pay someone to do these things. Me, I used to take my Corgi cars apart, respray them in different colours, then put them back together. I'll have a go at pretty much anything, and having had that attitude now for 46 years I find that most things can be done. I have one friend who resents this enormously - he has ten thumbs and is totally hopeless at anything practical. Most of the time I'm motivated by exactly the opposite reaction to you ("I'd always be worried about getting it wrong and ending up having to pay someone to sort out my mistakes"
; I always think someone else is likely to do half a job, and I'll have the privilege of paying them to do it. Diversity, a wonderful thing!
Exactly what Vic said... hate letting anyone else do stuff on my vehicles. I was also a kid with a screwdriver and was never happier than when I was dismantling something, or better stll, making something else out of the bits of the something I'd just dismantled
This job is not technical, it's just bloody fiddly. Think TT must still be in the garage
I started by HAVING to do my own repairs/maintenance in order to be able to afford to run bikes & cars when I was a teenager. I then found it gave satisfaction. I was lcky that my Father was a practical guy and I had a couple of elder brothers to assist when things went wrong.
My motivation these days is twofold: Cost and quality. Most things I can do a lot cheaper and better than "the professionals". This is not because I am brilliant but because if they were to do it to a standard that I would expect then they'd have to charge me more than I would be prepared to pay because of the time it would take! If I didn't have the ability to do at least some of the maintenance then I wouldn't be able to afford the P5 and the Tiv.
I suppose a lot of it boils down to understanding the basics of how things work and having the confidence to have a go. Equally a measure of knowing when not to meddle is probably a good thing. Fitting a gaiter surround is unlikely to get one into too much trouble. Playing with the braking system without at least a basic understanding of what you are doing could be fatal. A friend of mine some years ago rang me to say he had wrapped his car into a brick wall because his brakes had failed. A chat revealed that he had changed a brake pipe that had failed the MOT then gone for a spin - hit the brakes - nothing - I asked if he had bled the brake system - he hadn't a clue what I was talking about!
I don't do much on the modern cars though as they're generally too complex.Unless its purely basic mechanical or electrical of course.
However Matt, I'm sure you have talents that I don't. As already stated, diversity is a wonderful thing.
In answer to Pupp's question, I thought about continuing last night but it was 8.30 by the time I was ready to start and one thing that experience has taught me is not to start a potentially frustrating task when tired. Hopefully I will have chance to look at it tonight as I should be home at a reasonable time (I have an appointment in Wellingborough mid afternoon
)
My motivation these days is twofold: Cost and quality. Most things I can do a lot cheaper and better than "the professionals". This is not because I am brilliant but because if they were to do it to a standard that I would expect then they'd have to charge me more than I would be prepared to pay because of the time it would take! If I didn't have the ability to do at least some of the maintenance then I wouldn't be able to afford the P5 and the Tiv.
I suppose a lot of it boils down to understanding the basics of how things work and having the confidence to have a go. Equally a measure of knowing when not to meddle is probably a good thing. Fitting a gaiter surround is unlikely to get one into too much trouble. Playing with the braking system without at least a basic understanding of what you are doing could be fatal. A friend of mine some years ago rang me to say he had wrapped his car into a brick wall because his brakes had failed. A chat revealed that he had changed a brake pipe that had failed the MOT then gone for a spin - hit the brakes - nothing - I asked if he had bled the brake system - he hadn't a clue what I was talking about!
I don't do much on the modern cars though as they're generally too complex.Unless its purely basic mechanical or electrical of course.
However Matt, I'm sure you have talents that I don't. As already stated, diversity is a wonderful thing.
In answer to Pupp's question, I thought about continuing last night but it was 8.30 by the time I was ready to start and one thing that experience has taught me is not to start a potentially frustrating task when tired. Hopefully I will have chance to look at it tonight as I should be home at a reasonable time (I have an appointment in Wellingborough mid afternoon
) tyre_tread said:
mark r skinner said:
pupp said:
tyre_tread said:
pupp said:
Think TT must still be in the garage
Some of us have to work for a living
Mate, my income since May wouldn't keep you in whisker-wax
I could answer that but I don't want to drift off thread in case Di tells me off.
Chicken!
pupp said:
tyre_tread said:
mark r skinner said:
pupp said:
tyre_tread said:
pupp said:
Think TT must still be in the garage
Some of us have to work for a living
Mate, my income since May wouldn't keep you in whisker-wax
I could answer that but I don't want to drift off thread in case Di tells me off.
Chicken!
Cluck Cluck!
Alan,
If you need a new gaiter, Mr Gaiter is yer man....
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/GAITERS-BOOT
Couple of guys in the TVR S forum have used, and recommend, him.
If you need a new gaiter, Mr Gaiter is yer man....
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/GAITERS-BOOT
Couple of guys in the TVR S forum have used, and recommend, him.
Right, the gaiter is on - Not 100% happy with it but there are several splits in it that were already there so will have to be replaced in the not too distant anyway.
Pupp, I see what you mean about being awkward. I think you need to be a polydextrous octopus for it to be easy. There is a technique though which I'm not going to try and write up now.
Longers, thanks for the gaiter tip. I'll keep an eye out for one in the right colour or Alison might just make one for me.
The mats arrived today. They no longer produce them in Mulberry so Alison had to order the colour she thought would be next best - Anthracite with Mulberry edge trim. I'll try them in tomorrow night if I make it to the 'Post
Also have the wipers to fit courtesy of Leven, Alison & my Birthday. Won't take long but haven't had a moment yet.
Pupp, I see what you mean about being awkward. I think you need to be a polydextrous octopus for it to be easy. There is a technique though which I'm not going to try and write up now.
Longers, thanks for the gaiter tip. I'll keep an eye out for one in the right colour or Alison might just make one for me.
The mats arrived today. They no longer produce them in Mulberry so Alison had to order the colour she thought would be next best - Anthracite with Mulberry edge trim. I'll try them in tomorrow night if I make it to the 'Post
Also have the wipers to fit courtesy of Leven, Alison & my Birthday. Won't take long but haven't had a moment yet.
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