"Crispy" material around shift lever?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 706
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From: Clearwater FL
"Crispy" material around shift lever?
I just got done looking at a Vette listed locally, and the material around the shift lever feels real dry and brittle. You know what I mean, the stitched leather fabric (I think it's leather? Who knows.) It's the fabric material that goes from the bottom of shift **** to inside the dash. Maybe it looks like it has spent some time in the sun, or the vehicle has been flooded? It doesn't feel soft like a normal one, it feels real crispy. Have any of you ever seen this problem?
The guy says nothing's wrong (of course) but I can sure feel the difference between a normal one. Could it mean transmission damage?
The guy says nothing's wrong (of course) but I can sure feel the difference between a normal one. Could it mean transmission damage?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
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From: Longview Texas
Why would you think a dried out shifter boot would indicate transmission damage? The transmission is not even under the boot.
I would say that it is not unusual for anything leather to be dried enough to crack. I have seen steering wheel leather dry out and crack also.
I would say that it is not unusual for anything leather to be dried enough to crack. I have seen steering wheel leather dry out and crack also.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I agree, Just a heads up, The trans on a C5 is mounted in the rear of the car for weight distribution, 49/51 I think it is.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 706
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From: Clearwater FL
Maybe it is just sun damage. But the steering wheel in the car was okay (not cracked) and there was no other obvious signs of sun damage anywhere else. Who knows..
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,793
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From: Santa Maria Ca.
If the leather on the seats isn't crispy,I wouldn't worry about it-the seats have seen as much sun as the shift boot.
Shift boot may have just been made out of an inferior piece of leather,or the heat from the tunnel (they get pretty toasty) could've taken a toll on it over the years.
Shift boot may have just been made out of an inferior piece of leather,or the heat from the tunnel (they get pretty toasty) could've taken a toll on it over the years.
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The stock material is not great quality and does go brittle with time
You can pick up nice agter market shift boots for reasonable prices here. Redline have a nice range at a good price.
You can pick up nice agter market shift boots for reasonable prices here. Redline have a nice range at a good price.
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Sounds like whoever owned the car did not take any time to condition the leather - given enough time it will dry out and crack.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,431
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From: Iowa City Iowa
I take very good care of my 2000 vert. The boot around the auto shifter feels "crispy" to me also. It's just pretty cheap material and doesn't suggest any issues/problems with that car. You can replace the boot with an aftermarket piece and some labor. Good luck, if all else checks out, go for it! Ron
