I posted at the very end of this old thread but noone decided to comment because it was at the very bottom.

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/installing-shifter-boot-remove-center-console-area-605913/

Ok, since we're all human and naturally inclined towards laziness, I'll sum it up.

In this picture:



...there are four holes where a rubber boot and metal plate screw into (this pic doesn't have the plate and rubber or the bolts, they've already been removed in the pic) . I need to unscrew the plate in my car (the pic isn't mine, I stoled it ) but I can't get to the two bolts on the bottom (in this pic they're being covered by the center area around the shift boot thingy which is connected to the entire dash. How do I go about doing this?!?

 

i dont know what to tell you, i got mine out just fine . . . try different wrenches . . . or screwrivers or whatever

 

yea, i've done it with box wrenches before, and a socket set with an extension usually works too, if you put the socket on the bolt-head first, then slightly bend the trim out of the way to get the extension into the socket.

 

hmm, im going to go muscle the bolt out right now. I'll keep you guys posted.

 

i just used a swivle ratcheting wrench....twas easy

 

i just took the dash off. but it also wasnt my car, so i didnt have to put it back together.... BWAHAHAHA!.!.!.! really though, box wrences or a ratching wrench will work fine

 

I had those floormats...they came with my car. I got to mine with no problems, I dunno what's up with that.

 

those arent my mats, thats not my car, because thats a stolen picture . But, you guys are vageniuses!! I used a box wrench, undid a couple of more screws that were holding the dash in place, removed the center "glove" compartment, and I was able to twist and bend the panels out of the way to get the bolts out. It was a biatch to get the metal plate out. Beneath the rubber boots there was no bushing at all in the shifter around the ball. Also, my return spring is gone . I'm going to take some pics tomorrow because I have some questions as to whats going on in there. But once again, thanks for all the tips.

 

i remember now, i used ratcheting box wrenches, because i'm cool

 

the dash pice will move just enough to get a socket and wrench on the bolt, at least mine did

 

I undid mine yesterday. it was a pain because I could not really get on the bolts. I have the 10mm Snap-on swivel impact driver. I could turn it a little with a 1/4 socket with a u-joint on it but it kept getting knocked off. I ended up doing most of the turning with an open ended wrench held vertically, sort of like a screw driver. You can spend something like $6 or $10 and get the one piece shallow 10mm swivel socket from Craftsman. It would save you some headache.

The plate didn't really come out to easy but I was able to ift the front up and slide it forward and out. It is a tight fit. Of course you need to remove the shift lever first.

The metal plate and those 4 bolts only need to be removed if you are replacing the rubber boot.

 

Out of curiousity, why did you remove the plate in the first place?

If you're just trying to remove the rubber heat boot to expose the shifter, it simply pulls out after the bolts are removed. Tucks back in with not that much effort.

And, an open end wrench usually does the trick with patience.

 

ratchet wrench with a swivel head. Come on guy is this thread really necessary? Just stop, think about it, look at your tools and if you don't have the right tool then go to sears and buy a set of good tools.