How to Replace the Dust Cover of an Automatic Gear Shift Lever?
2 Answers
First, remove the dust cover and the plastic base. Cut the new dust cover to the size of the old one using a knife, then trim off any excess parts with scissors. Solder the dust cover onto the plastic base with an electric soldering iron, then press the shift knob into place. Finally, invert the plastic base and secure it back to its original position.
A few days ago, I just replaced the automatic transmission shift boot on my car, and the whole process was quite interesting. First, I parked the car on level ground, put it in P gear, and engaged the handbrake. For safety, I disconnected the negative terminal of the battery. There's usually a small screw or clip on top of the shift knob, which can be gently unscrewed with a regular screwdriver to remove the knob. Then, I pulled off the old shift boot—it was likely aged, cracked, and quite dirty—and cleaned the contact surface thoroughly. It's best to buy a new shift boot online or from an auto parts store that matches your car model, and choose durable rubber material instead of going for the cheapest option. During installation, align the position and push it firmly into place; if there's adhesive, apply a thin layer to secure it. Finally, reattach the shift knob and test the gear shifting to ensure smooth operation. Doing it myself saved me over a hundred bucks in repair costs, and the sense of accomplishment was truly satisfying.
