Alright so my lovley little race car came with torn lower shift boot(s?) and due to other issues and lack of money Im just now getting around to researching it somewhat. I know without a doubt theres at least 1 boot that basiclly bolts to the floor and the leather trim peice that goes over it (probbly leave this off), however I know from my Miata at least that it had a second boot and there was a little basin you had to fill with tranny fluid. Same deal on a 7 or just the 1 boot that bolts to the floor?

 

There is a inner shift boot bolted to the trans which you would fill with fluid for the shift lever. Additionally there is a two part boot that bolts to the chassis, and a trim boot over that.

http://mazdatrix.com/g4.htm

Should show you some pictures.

 

oh snap, I had no idea you filled the inner shift boot. I should check mine....

 

Never heard of filling any boot with oil. Your sure about that?

To be clear there are 4 boots: an inner rubber one that seals the tranny, an outer
rubber one that seals the lower boot and the stick, a middle boot that seals the
chassis to the outer boot, and the vinyl or leather boot you see around the stick.
The middle rubber boots are NLA for SAs.

 

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough. I meant to fill the shifter housing, where the ball of the shifter sits with some oil. This part of the transmission is sealed off by what Mazdatrix has listed as the Inner boot. You can see this boot also has a gasket.

 

that makes me feel a lot better - I always do that. Lol.

 

I'm actually planning on replacing the inner shift boot (the one that bolts to the tranny) this weekend.

How do you install the boot on the shifter? Do you stretch it over the ball or does the shifter split in two?

 

Streeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeetch.

 

Yep, that's the proper way to do it. Some people have used light heat application (heat gun), or solvents to soften the rubber before stretching it.

I have had success in the past with simple green as a lubricant.

 

good to know. I've done similar things with WD40 but I'll try simple green.

 

I usually just lick it and slide it on. Pull it down from the threaded end.

 

lmao! i spit on it, and then slide it in.

 

 

See my thread: (SHIFTER) How To: Reinstall the shifter and shift boots

 

How much of a difference will replacing the inner boot make? Mine seems to be torn all the way around on the stock shifter about half way up. Will this cause problems or can I just throw it over my new short shifter and be safe?