95 850GLT Stick Shift Plastic Plate Keeps Lifting Upwards

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 07 Mar 2014, 16:50

I had to take pictures because this is hard to describe. Below the leather covering of my stick shift is a plastic piece with triangular pieces. 2 for the left, ride and rear (I can't tell if there should be 2 on the front). There are no pieces on the front (the side closest to the radio/front of the car.

Now, I'm not sure if there are SUPPOSED to be pieces on the front portion of the plastic "plate" or not (green arrows for position). Does anyone know the answer to this?

I ask because when I shift, especially in warmer weather the front portion lifts up and the remainder of the shift's covering becomes unattached.

I'm not sure if this is due to old plastic (be it the plate and the surround plastic dash box on the floor by the heated seat rocker switches etc) OR if an old mechanic, when greasing the stick underneath, broke the supposed two pieces of plastic off and never told me because he didn't want to pay. I THINK a previous mechanic broke 2 front pieces (Green arrows point to precut holes in leather where plastic piece would be theoretically.

I looked at the plastic itself, and it's hard to tell if it was molded to have these triangular pieces on all four sides or not.

Either way, this thing is driving me NUTS!!! And I'd like to fix it properly.

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 07 Mar 2014, 20:34

There are supposed to be 2 thick plastic tabs on the front, they would have been "L" shaped to keep the front from lifting up, and thse tabs fit under the top of the console. The sides have 2 plastic straight tabs on each side. The rear has none.

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 08 Mar 2014, 12:41

Klausc wrote:There are supposed to be 2 thick plastic tabs on the front, they would have been "L" shaped to keep the front from lifting up, and thse tabs fit under the top of the console. The sides have 2 plastic straight tabs on each side. The rear has none.

Well the back of this plate has 2 tabs. I didn't think to check the shape. The left and right sets, when looking in profile are L shaped on their interior sides, but the exterior side at bottom is angled down, sorta like a triangle on its side. They aren't perfectly L shaped. They are shaped like an L with this symbol > , below the bottom horizontal line of the letter of L. Crudely like the below, if that makes sense to you

L
>

Hmm, Sounds like the guy put on the plastic plate backwards then. I will check and see if I can switch the position of this plate. I'm not sure how it's all attached. All I know is one day it started coming off after this mechanic greased the joint below.

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 08 Mar 2014, 13:31

I just pulled mine up. You are missing the rear clips, or the front as your picture is a bit confusing.
The two front clips have a 90 degree 'foot' that goes under the console plastic which keeps the boot in place. There are 4 plastic tabs, two on each side, that clip under the console plastic. Then, there are two additional tabs at the rear that kind of look like the tabs on the sides.

For removal, you are supposed to remove the cover under the Ebrake handle, reach in with a finger and push the rear tabs forward just enough to clear the console while gently prying up the boot from the rear. Once the side tabs have released, pull the boot rearward for removal.

Even if you can find the broken plastic tabs somewhere under the console, gluing them back on may be a problem.

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 08 Mar 2014, 13:47

Klausc wrote:I just pulled mine up. You are missing the rear clips, or the front as your picture is a bit confusing.
The two front clips have a 90 degree 'foot' that goes under the console plastic which keeps the boot in place. There are 4 plastic tabs, two on each side, that clip under the console plastic. Then, there are two additional tabs at the rear that kind of look like the tabs on the sides.

For removal, you are supposed to remove the cover under the Ebrake handle, reach in with a finger and push the rear tabs forward just enough to clear the console while gently prying up the boot from the rear. Once the side tabs have released, pull the boot rearward for removal.

Even if you can find the broken plastic tabs somewhere under the console, gluing them back on may be a problem.

Not sure what is confusing about my pic.

So there are clips at the front and back then?? Damn it, I knew that guy broke them, I'd like to kill him jeez! I didn't even ask for him to grease it..I knew it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I have buy a new one.

Do you happen to know what this part may be called and if it requires I purchase a whole new boot and plastic piece etc?

I found this http://www.volvopartswebstore.com/showA ... ct=1161868

Part 14 is what I need. What I don't understand in the description is what is a "gaiter"?? The description leads the reader to think another part needs to be replaced too.

The description reads "Shift control gearbox, manual M56, M59,M58. (EXC B5234T5
When replacing gaiter, the gearlever knob must also be REPLACED)"

But every Volvo dealer's parts says I don't need an extra part.

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 08 Mar 2014, 14:29

Finding a new shifter boot is not going to be easy. For Ebay, make sure you get a photo of the bottom as well as the top.

Because it is the front two clips and the person broke them off forcing the boot off the wrong end, look under the console for the plastic bits and get some good glue. Let it cure for 24 hours and you should be in good shape.

Otherwise, manufacture something else that will stick forward about 1/4 inch. It doesn't have to be a tight fit, just enough to keep the boot from coming up. Heck, you could make it an inch long as it is not visible from the cabin.

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 08 Mar 2014, 14:53

Thanks for you help Klaus. I was able to find a the boot and ordered it.

I'm going to search for the plastic bits and if I find them I'll give the glue a try.

How do I replace the boot? It seems to require removing the shift knob. I have never had to deal with this section of my car before.

I found this in the forum here, this person's car is a 1996, and mine is a 1995. I HOPE I don't have to buy a gearshift knob?? This really sucks. None of this was my fault, I regret going to that mechanic and not being thorough enough. CRAP CRAP

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=32886

Ozark Lee or anyone else, can you confirm if I need a new gearshift knob just replace the gear shift boot?

I didn't quite understand the person's instructions either. Does anyone have better instructions?

I also found this picture instruction set, again a different year model, BUT this guy was able to remove the gear shift knob. What do people think of this method?

http://volvospeed.com/install_performan ... moval.html

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 10 Mar 2014, 13:03

Would anyone be able to explain this step in removing the Gear Shift Knob

http://volvospeed.com/install_performan ... moval.html

"For the next section i made a tool out of 1/2" copper pipe to stick up and release the 3 clips of the boot. Just cut the pipe in half and file down the tip."

"So you insert the copper tool and force it upward with a vice grip. When it goes up under the clips, it takes a good shot to take the boot down."

I don't understand what clips the person is referring to. As I'm not sure, why doesn't a person just cut through the boot (leather and rubber underneath)??

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 10 Mar 2014, 13:40

I think the person doing the writeup wanted to save the boot and replace the shift knob.

If you are going to replace the boot, then cut away! But you might want to investigate the option of opening the sun roof and pulling the shift knob straight up - when it comes off, it comes off in a hurry! Using the two pliers as a wedge to force the knob up is a slightly safer method.

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 10 Mar 2014, 14:38

Klausc wrote:I think the person doing the writeup wanted to save the boot and replace the shift knob.

If you are going to replace the boot, then cut away! But you might want to investigate the option of opening the sun roof and pulling the shift knob straight up - when it comes off, it comes off in a hurry! Using the two pliers as a wedge to force the knob up is a slightly safer method.

Yes, I have to replace to the boot. I'm definitely going to open the sunroof on this one! I'm just not sure what tabs the person is referring to. I'm assuming these are tabs present in the boot, that is the replacement I purchased will have them too. As opposed to tabs that are related to the knob itself. I don't intend on buying a new gear shifter knob if I can prevent it.

I believe you are right. I thought of saving mine, however the plastic tabs are broken off. I I'm not sure if the leather itself can be saved. I will see, if so, I'd like to save it, as it's in great shape.