I am in the middle or removing an 84 RX7 GSL-SE transmission to replace its clutch when I noticed I am unable to get the shift rubber boots off without moving the dash up a few inches. Am I missing something here or is going through the nightmare of moving that dash up a few inches really the only way to get that bracket and boot off?

 

Leave the dash in place. There is a metal ring under the carpet that holds the boots down. Remove that ring, the shifter ****, then the boots. It's tight, but can be done.

 

But you really don't need to remove that boot to remove the transmission do you? I assume you're talking about the large one (maybe 8" x 5" oval)? You should just be able to remove the smaller boots around the shifter, remove the shifter, then remove the transmission. Maybe the SE is different than the GS though.

Rich

 

It's easier to R&R the tranny with the shifter removed. To do this, the boots need to come out. This also saves tearing up the overly expensive boots if the shifter were left on the tranny.

 

the 81+ shift boots are different, and the 84-85 dash has less room to get at the boot, or the ring that holds it down. the 79 is much easier to get at

 

I didn't take the large oval shaped boot out of my '85 GS when I removed and replace the engine/transmission, and had no problems. All I removed were the smaller round boots around the base of the shifter, then removed the shifter. I would have replaced the larger one (I bought one) but couldn't figure out how to get it out LOL.

Rich

 

all you need to do is remove the smaller boots and when the trans comes down, the shifter will slip through the boots. taking the shifter out does help but its not necessary and you do not need to remove any part of the dash to take the trans out.

 

The "Black boot seal" underneath the actual shift boot. looks like one piece but it has a top! Pull the top piece of rubber and you get to the shifter screws. You don't need to touch the dash!

 

Thanks for all the responses guys, after some closer inspection and referencing the Mazdatrix FAQ a bit closer the shifter did slip through the boots but man was it a tight fit... what I did was I pressed the lower boot over the top of the transmission hole and then I was able to take the shifter out without having to take the entire boot out. That boot just won't come out without the dash removed but thank goodness I didn't tear it taking the shifter out in this manner. If I were to replace that boot or the bracket the dash is in the most awkward position possible for getting it out.

 

Yeah, it came out, but wait until you try to put the tranny back IN with the shifter in place!

Seriously, take the shifter rod out before you try to get the tranny back in. Using the 'bear hug' method of tranny replacement is hard enough without trying to muscle the shifter back into it's tiny hole in the boots...

Speaking from experience on this one, trust me. It's very easy to reattach the shifter rod and boots from the top once everything is bolted up to the engine.

 

This will make your clutch job and reinstall alot easier.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-archive-71/engine-flywheel-stopper-554738/

 

Hey A.J. - you seriously gotta get a better camera

Rich

 

Ah great thread there, I was just thinking I was going to have to buy that little stopper part from Mazdatrix to do this being as I don't have access to an air compressor atm. Thanks for the thread link!

 

I had this same exact problem just last week. Still having troubles getting the transmition out but I'm no mechanic