Shifter boot malfuntion - 1987 5000

[Kneale Brownson]

I recall someone posting a long time ago about repairing a mid-80s shifter
boot frame.  The problem, if I remember correctly, is that there are little
plastic tabs on the frame that are supposed to engage a lip in the surround
or something like that, and the tabs fail.  I can't remember what the fix
was but it might come up in a search of the "archives" for the quattro list
on Audifans.com.  

At 08:33 PM 12/14/2004 -0500, Dave C wrote:
>I need advice re: a malfunctioning shifter boot.  The shift boot was
>redesigned in 1989 so this mainly relates to 1984 -1988 model years.
>
>The plastic frame won't remain clipped in place.  It seems the leather
>is too stiff and pulls on the frame.  Or maybe the frame clips are
>just tired.  Or maybe both.  It is worse in cold weather... maybe
>because cold makes the leather more stiff.  Maybe I need to replace
>the frame.  But if the real problem is stiff leather then I still need
>to fix that.  I tried repeated application of Lexol leather
>conditioner but it hasn't helped.  I also tried a bit of 3M strip
>caulk at each corner of the frame.  This helped during warm weather
>but it ceased to function with arrival of cold weather and now the
>boot flops around with every shift.
>
>The family album lists a part number for the frame with a price that
>isn't too bad but the list price for a new Audi leather boot seems
>ridiculous.
>
>Has anyone successfully dealt with this?
> - -
>Dave C.
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