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View Full Version : DIY: Leather E-brake boot


KeWLKaT
04-03-2005, 10:12 PM
Intro:

Well, I have to tell you I stole the idea from Mitch, and since I thought this was a nice add-on, I had to share, since no one ever bothered to write a DIY, here's how I did mine:

Needed:

- Leather E-brake boot (I bought mine off Ebay from 'snowhound-2' and asked him to leave some excess)
- Modified flathead screwdriver (explained below)
- Scissors

How to modify your screwdriver:

Take a small peice of unused cloth and wrap it on the tip of the screwdriver, using a zip-tie to keep it in place:

http://dblast.epsylon.org/misc/EBRAKEscru.jpg

Steps:

(NOTE: I am giving a very simplified explanation of this, but I went through a whole process of install-->uninstall-->cut-->reinstall-->etc... All boots are unique so all will be handled differently)

1- Slide the boot on to the ebrake and take measurements, decided exactly how much fabric you will cut and mark it off. Measure twice, cut once. I just had to cut the front (narrower) part of the ebrake itself, and the extra fabric from the inside, it was on too tight and just felt better this way (again, I know I'm shallow on this part, but it's a trial error-thing):

http://dblast.epsylon.org/misc/EBRAKE004.jpg

http://dblast.epsylon.org/misc/EBRAKE10.jpg

Now that everything is measured and cut, all that is left to do is install the boot itself.

2- Turn the boot inside out and slide it on the ebrake handle. Put it on the spot where you want it to be and zip-tie it exactly where you want it to start on the handle. (make sure it's REALLY tight) :

http://dblast.epsylon.org/misc/EBRAKE7.jpg

3- Pull the ebrake boot towards you, back into the way it's supposed to be. Now you should be satisfied by the upper part (where it's zip-tied under) or repeat the first two steps until it meets your standards.

4- Using the modified flathead screwdriver, work the leather inside the open space where it sits. This process took me some time, because the open space between the existing stock ebrake pastic 'boot' and the console was VERY small. Again, this is where your judgement comes in. Do this until you are satisfied.

5- Make some final adjustements, try the ebrake, there should be no problems anyways...

http://dblast.epsylon.org/misc/EBRAKE13.jpg

http://dblast.epsylon.org/misc/EBRAKE15.jpg

Enjoy.

Notes:

- In the future to get something even cleaner, I will need to remove seats/center console to glue the leather from the inside from the inside, but it will do for now.

- Sorry for crappy pics, blame the dark and the 1.3MP camera without flash :)

Leviathant
05-09-2005, 11:31 PM
Any chance we could get a repost of the pics somehow? Maybe send them to me, I can host them. All I'm getting are ads for IMGHST.com

KeWLKaT
05-09-2005, 11:43 PM
Crap.

I'll put em up on my server :)

done :P

Leviathant
05-10-2005, 12:02 AM
Awesome, looks good.

It's nice outside again, I'm in the modding mood again, and this kind of thing seems like a nice, easy, and useful mod. As long as there are pics, heehee :)

KeWLKaT
05-10-2005, 06:55 AM
Sorry, it's because I hadn't noticed since nobody had ever replied to the thread :(

SuperGLS
09-01-2005, 07:15 PM
Sorry, I totally missed this one Kewlkat.

Can we get better and bigger pics? I'll try to get it up by the end of the week.

KeWLKaT
09-05-2005, 04:15 PM
It's all good, I thought you just missed it :)

Unfortunately, I can't get better pics. I still have to buy a *real* digi cam, and if I take more pics, it will still remain the same :(

The ball is in your field, lol.

SuperGLS
09-05-2005, 05:32 PM
It's up now. Please gets some better pics as soon as you can. Thanks for the support.

ba_feitl
12-22-2005, 12:35 PM
Just a tip to make this easier ... the center console is really easy to remove. A couple of hidden clips around the shifter plate and six little screws along the side of the console base (3 each side). I did it without removing my seats. You just need to slide the seats forward and back to access the screws. I did this for my TWM shifter install with no problem.

This way you wouldn't even need a "modified" screwdriver. Although I have to say that was creative !

Brad

KeWLKaT
12-22-2005, 12:56 PM
yeah man dont hate on the modified screwdriver :D

also this is for lazy people like me hehe