Vinyl Gearshift Tape Replacement - 1988-'89 Models

The following is a description for replacing the vinyl tape on the gearshift selector on the console.

This is for 1988 and 1989 Reattas (and Rivieras) only. 1990 & 1991 modelss are completely different and these procedures do not apply. I replaced the vinyl with leather but any vinyl-like material will work as long as it is thin and flexible.

Tools Needed:

• Small flat-head screwdriver
• Contact cement
• Contact cement thinner
• Wooden board (1 x 4 about 15 inches long works well)
• Small nails
• 2 part glue such as JB Weld
• C- clamp

Read all steps needed to complete the project and be certain you fully understand them before starting this repair! It is recommended that you put the car in neutral with the parking brake on and/or a wheel block under the front wheels.

Step 1 - Remove the shifter plate

1. Remove gearshift knob

Remove the u-shaped clip from the back of the knob with a small flat screwdriver and pull the knob straight up. This is easiest with the transmission out of park.

2. Remove the shift plate

Gently pry up on it. There are 4 clips that hold it to the console. The location of these is marked with red arrows on the photo below.

Step 2 - Disassemble the plate

1. Remove the 3 screws

Remove the 3 screws shown with a 7mm socket. Under each screw there is a spring and washer. Note the order in which they are assembled. Separate the shift selector from the plate.

2. Remove the rubber boot

Remove the rubber boot by pulling it out of the heat-melt rivets.

3. Remove the plastic grommet

Remove the plastic grommet that surrounds the gearshift shaft by cutting away the two raised plastic parts as shown with the red arrows. I used a Dremel tool to grind the plastic. Be careful that it does not get too hot. You want to take away just enough plastic  to allow the two halves to separate.

4. Remove metal tape

Mark the front of the metal tape so you can reassemble it correctly.

Depress the tape to release the indicator slider. This attaches to the metal tape with two pins that protrude through it as shown in the photo. Just push on the tape and slide it out of the way.

The front of the tape is bent so it will not pull out. Straighten it and pull the tape out from the rear.

Step 3. Repair the tape

1. Mount the metal tape on a board

Use a nail on each end. There is a hole on one end and punch a hole with the nail on the other end.

Scribe the edge of the vinyl so you can tell where to put the new material.

2. Remove old vinyl

I peeled most of it off by hand then scraped the rest with my fingernail. Clean the old adhesive a with solvent such as contact cement thinner.

Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's instructions solvents and cement and use in a well ventilated area. They are flammable materials

3. Cut new material

Cut your leather or vinyl 1 1/4 inches wide by 13 3/4 inches long. It doesn't need to be quite that long. The leather I used was only 12 inches and that is plenty long. The original is 13 3/4?

4.  Apply contact adhesive

Place masking tape along your scribed lines to keep the glue off the edges.

Apply one coat of contact adhesive to the metal tape and two coats to the leather (vinyl). Let the first coat dry first.

When both surfaces are dry, carefully press the leather to the metal tape. Make sure it is in the correct position because once it is applied you cannot move it.

5.  Re-install metal tape.

Guide it through the groves. You may have to bend the end upward so it doesn't catch. Insert the tape through the two slider tabs until they engage. Re-bend the end of the metal tape so it coils properly.

Cut the leather covering the shifter hole with an Xacto knife.

6.  Re-install the plastic shaft grommet

Install the top piece of the grommet into the hole. Try to align both pieces of the grommet in their original position. You can tell this because they will fit better in one position than the other. Coat both pieces of the grommet with a two-part glue. I used JB Weld and clamp overnight.

Step 4 - Reinstall the plate

1.  Reassemble Shift plate

Install rubber boot by stretching it over the melt rivets. Mount the selector to the plate with the washers, springs and screws.

2. Install Shift Plate on Console

Reverse the procedure described above.  Place shift plate over gear shift shaft and press it into the console. Install knob and clip.

Thanks to Mark K, member of the Reatta forums, for this information.