Came up with a genius method of removing the topper. 3mm hole exactly in the centre of the old one, insert a coarse threaded self tapper screw approx 5,6,7mm diameter and gently screw it in.

The screw point will locate on the Allen bolt that holds the selector down and push the topper up. It will then just pop off and you can clean everything up and replace it.

Only useful of course if you’re replacing the topper.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Ingenious....  Pete
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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Clever.....  ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
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Allowed me to clean 13 years of grime off the gear selector as well !

That little job now shows up the multitude of tiny dings from keys on the silver surround. Another job to be added to the list, to remove and tidy that up. Anyone done a refurb on it ? Don’t fancy hoiking out £80 for a new one when a bit of elbow grease can tidy up the existing…

I've just replaced the topper on mine with the leather one... all you need to do to remove the old one is apply a little heat with a hair dryer or heat gun to melt the glue, then it just lifts away.

I too took the opportunity to clean the crud out of the diamond pattern on the controller itself - very satisfying!

The only issue I had was with the new one - the sticky pad is too thin to adhere. It's not as thick as the old one and doesn't make contact with the top of the controller because of the excess leather that wraps underneath the topper. I just applied a little silicon adhesive.

I was surprised at how much of a difference such a minor change has made. Very pleased. 2012 TDV8 Westminster in the New Forest

Also: Land Rover Series 3 SWB, Mercedes 280SL, Classic Mini race replica, VW Golf SV
Previously: Audi A8, RR TDV8 Vogue, Audi Allroad, VW Golf GTI Edition 30, Audi A4 Avant, A8, A4 Sport, A6, VW Golf Mk5, Bora, Golf GTI Mk3, Jetta Mk3, Passat, Jetta Mk1, Golf Mk1