T6 Gear Gaiter - Removal/Fitting

[racT6bus]

I'm replacing the gear gaiter in my 6 speed manual T6 as it's not in great shape. I've bought an eBay Alcantara replacement without the frame and plan to just swap out the original with this and re-staple... if I can. I've done lots of searches on here but can't find any info on how to remove it. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Has anyone done the same and just swapped the fabric part over?

 

[Sasquatch]

You need a trim tool to pop the edge off. Once free you can lift the gaiter up and release the gear know from the shaft.

The frame is fragile, so steady as you go swapping it to the new gaiter.

 

[racT6bus]

You need a trim tool to pop the edge off. Once free you can lift the gaiter up and release the gear know from the shaft.

The frame is fragile, so steady as you go swapping it to the new gaiter.

Great, thank you

 

[Ayjay]

@racT6bus. That’s a job on my list as well. Please let us know how you get on. Also, a link to the new gaiter would be good.

 

[racT6bus]

Changed over the gear gaiter at the weekend, it’s not actually as fiddly as I thought it would be.

My old one was pretty worn...



Tried to detail how I did it here...

*** Fitting a new gear gaiter (T6, 6 Speed Manual) ***

• I got an Alcantara (ish!) with orange stitch version from Kolour Koncept on eBay, quality is OK for the money, it’s certainly looks and feels better that the worn-out faux leather version it replaced.
  
  
• I used this video to help me with it -
  whilst it is based on a T5 version there are some useful tips. The T6 is different and slightly easier IMO
  
  
• Take the cap off the gear lever and undo the torx bolt, there is a spring beneath it – careful not to lose it!
  
  
• Use a trim tool to gently prize up the surround, mine came off easily

• The gaiter and frame are held into the surround by three clips, which you just need to carefully release

• Carefully remove the old gaiter from the frame, I took a picture to remind myself where is was placed (I tried to take pics of everything to avoid any issues!)
  
  
• You then need to remove the two bands that hold the gaiter to the stick, you’ll need a trim tool to gently prize the first one off and the other is a split ring – the gaiter should then slide off

• You can then put on the new gaiter inside out on the stick – make sure you have it positioned correctly – best to do this bit in the van!
  
  
• Once on, slide the split band back on and the other band fits tightly over the top, securing the gaiter into place
  
  
• Turn the gaiter over so it’s the right way around again
  
  
• Now you have the fiddly bit.... the new gaiter doesn’t get stapled on like the T5 in the video, you just have to ensure it’s over the frame at each side which require a little bit more force (but not too much).
  

• Carefully put the gaiter on the frame back in the surround – the three clips on the surround are easily strong enough to hold it in place

• Slide the stick back into place, ensure it’s all in correctly
  
  
• Put the spring and gear knob back on
  
  
• Test you can get every gear!
  
  
• Job done
  
  

 

[Ayjay]

@racT6bus. Thanks for that, it might prove useful when I come to do mine. The current gaiter doesn't look quite as bad as yours but I don't think it will be long. I've already got the new one in blue 'GTI cheque' (to match the seats) and just haven't got around to fitting it yet.

 

[TeeCeeJay]

@racT6bus. Thanks for that, it might prove useful when I come to do mine. The current gaiter doesn't look quite as bad as yours but I don't think it will be long. I've already got the new one in blue 'GTI cheque' (to match the seats) and just haven't got around to fitting it yet.

Where'd you get your blue gaiter from? Is it a THQ one? They only seem to do T5 versions

 

[Ayjay]

@TeeCeeJay. You're right about THQ - I actually emailed them and got confirmation that they don't sell a T6 compatible gaiter which I'm surpirised at as I would have thought the market was there! I bought mine from Ebay a while ago but all I did at the time was open the envelope, take a quick look inside and then put it in a drawer so I've now got to find it again. It's one of these:

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Ayjay]

Found it! I will probably have to leave it until next week before I can fit it but it occurred to me to draw the outline onto a piece of paper before that as we've got a bit of that material somewhere and it wouldn't take much effort to make a new one if ever needed (effort by my wife and her sewing machine that is - if I tried to sew it, I guarantee that it would never come apart but would look as ugly as sin as well).

 

[TeeCeeJay]

Found it! I will probably have to leave it until next week before I can fit it but it occurred to me to draw the outline onto a piece of paper before that as we've got a bit of that material somewhere and it wouldn't take much effort to make a new one if ever needed (effort by my wife and her sewing machine that is - if I tried to sew it, I guarantee that it would never come apart but would look as ugly as sin as well).

Yes, I was thinking to just make a pattern from our old one, or just add some blue stitching to the current one.

 

[Cuffy]

Replaced mine a couple of months ago, the pain in the arse was getting the plastic ring clip back in place.

Top tip:
If you're a fat fingered freak with bugger all patience, like me, a small zip tie does the job.