Bent T14 Shifter Lever

It was fine and lasted for several years without splitting. Only in the past few years has it started to enlarge and split. The zip tie might help, and take some of the stress off of the rubber where it's stretched around the lever. I kinda think it's just age, and that stretched part of the rubber matrix more exposed to the elements. Stuff like rubber ages (oxidizes?) and the material changes. Sunlight affects it too. Old plastic yellows and gets brittle, old rubber cracks. Witness tire sidewalls where they are most stressed.

 

Not to throw a wet rag on this good advice, but it contains a common misconception. Heat is unaffected by gravity. True, if one applies heat to a fluid (air, water, etc.) the heated fluid will tend to rise, through the process of convection. In this case, when heat is applied to the the solid metal lever/cane the heat travels by the process of conduction which is omnidirectional. So, use the wet rag.