Gear lever trim

[simon.williams]

The vinyl covered hardboard trim panel I have is very torn and tired. I aim to make a new one and re-cover it.

Mine was screwed into the plastic of the center console, I assume there is a better way of fixing it. Does anyone have a idea of how an original one should look / what fittings are needed.

Thank you!

[Charles H]

The original uses the same spring type clips that hold on the door cards so they are invisible. Trouble is, that it usually pops out on the left when reverse is selected hence many are now screwed down.

[simon.williams]

Thank you Charles, at least I now know what the original fixing was. Will try some clip-on nuts and black set screws.

[johnnydog]

Slight correction there Charles - the gear lever base uses similar clips to the door cards, but they are actually different.
The door card clips are a bent piece of single strand sprung steel, whereas the gearlever base clips are oval shaped. I find the correct clips grip the holes better in the gearlever console.
Probably why you see the base popping up on some cars when reverse is selected because the wrong clips are fitted - hence why many cars have self tappers to secure the base which looks terrible imho.
I'll try to post pictures of the two different clips when I find some the oval types...

[johnnydog]

Here are a couple of pics showing the two different trim clips - the right one for the door cards, the left one for the gear lever base cover on the centre console.

[simon.williams]

Thanks for digging these clips out. Agree screws will look poor / bodged.

[Mike Stevens]

Also, after a number of removals and replacements, the holes in the plastic surround wear so the clips don't hold so well. Perhaps some sort of insert in the holes may grip better.

[simon.williams]

I ended up using black set screws with spire nuts clipped to the plastic. Vinyl bought from Amazon & hardboard from diy store. Found some packaging cushion material to give it a bit of give. I know its not perfect, but better than it was, and won’t be popping out any time soon.