I just received a leather hb boot to replace the pleather one that came with my car. I'm sure I can figure it out, but I'd appreciate any advise from anyone who has beat me to it.

TIA

 

I replaced mine. Just make sure you don't force the ring that hold the boot in place out...There are little snaps that break off kinda easy...other than that, you will be happy with the replacement...

 

We did it. Seemed pretty straight forward.

First, remove the little trim cap piece at the tip of the brake handle. Looking at the new piece, you’ll see there are some plastic tabs that hold it on. I carefully used a flathead screwdriver to depress the tabs on one side and remove the piece. Not to difficult.

Next, we disconnected the old boot completely at the base first. Again, look at the new part and you’ll see how it’s attached. Getting the base of the boot detached is a pain. I did manage to break off the tab at the very front of the old boot but since I was getting rid of it, I wasn’t too concerned.

Once detached, pull the boot inside out over the brake handle and you’ll see a little plastic zip-tie holding the top of the boot to the handle. Cut it off. You’ll need a new one later on.

The actual handle is held on by an angled nub that slots into the steel brake lever (top/passenger's side under where the end cap goes). Pry that up gently with a thin screw driver and the handle/boot assembly slides off.

Finally, slide the old vinyl boot off the handle and remove the vinyl handle from the silver plastic trim piece. It’s held on with two plastic tabs. Snap your new leather handle back onto the trim piece.

Now for the install… Use a new zip-tie to attach the new boot to the new handle, using the old boot/handle as a guide for where to fit it. Then slide the new boot/handle on until it clicks into place on the lever (the handle only goes on one way). Then work the boot into place, starting at the front tab and working back. Then snap on the little end cap and you’re done!

The new Lapis blue bits look really nice (we did the shifter boot and **** as well).

 

>>We did it. Seemed pretty straight forward.
>>
>>>>The new Lapis blue bits look really nice (we did the shifter boot and **** as well).

Can I ask where you got the Lapis blue bits? It sounds like exactly what I want to change in my car. Thanks!

 

Thanks for the help. If you bought the Mini hand brake boot from the motoring accessories catalog, was the "gaiter boot" part of the package?

Page 22 of the 2003 catalog says it comes with it, but it didn't come with mine. I only received the hand brake boot. I'm still trying to find out whether it was a typo or whether I was one boot shy of a load.

 

>>
>>Can I ask where you got the Lapis blue bits? It sounds like exactly what I want to change in my car. Thanks!
>>

I bought them from Classic Mini. The hand-brake kit included a blue leather grip and a blue "gaiter" - the flexible part between the handle and the console. The shifter kit also included a blue bottom/chrome top **** and a blue gaiter. I forget how much they were. I bought a bunch of stuff from them at once (and they wer x-mas presents).

 

Thanks! I'll have to check in with Brian. My modification list keeps getting longer and longer...

 

Thanks for the pics and step by step! I installed an XM receiver yesterday in the cubby on the passenger side of the boot. It was pretty easy once I got the panels off! I did save $300 though! (car toys wanted $300 to do it)

 

I just did mine too. I think the previous owner destroyed the brake boot with a pair of skis... At least, that's all I can think she did.

I bought them from this fella on eBay, and worried I was cheaping out. I was pleasantly surprised! They're MORE than worth the cost of entry. I guess he used the originals as a template, because they were spot on - if a little tight, because the leather he used is about three times as thick as the stock pleather. Installation was easy; I glued the new boots to the factory plastic with Vittoria Mastik tubular tire glue. Strong stuff! I hope I don't ever want to change them...

 

yep, i replaced mine with custom suede ones. fortunately mine was already popped out when i bought the car.