I replaced my bushings and boots, but I had a lot of trouble getting the inner boot on. i ordered the inner boot from mazdatrix (right pic). I had the metal circle thing (left pic) on my shifter, but with the rubber boot part cut off. I just left it off and put the mazdatrix boot on. I don't know if I have the factory lever/boot or what. do i need that metal part?

I'd like a pic of the stock S5 shift lever (installed and not installed if possible). I searched but didn't come up with anything.

I'm also not sure if I put the inner boot on right. I may have to take my lever off again and fix it.

(pics from mazdatrix)

 

yes you n eed the metal part.

 

even with the inner boot? does the boot go on top or under the gold colored metal thing? my car had no inner (or middle) boot, so I wasn't sure how to put things back together.

 

the metal **** holds the shifter in place so it odenst come out
not only that, it holds the shifter bushing in so the shift is nice and clean
you need it.

 

so should I just put the new boot on top of the old metal part? I guess I am confused because on the metal piece I have, it looks like the boot is actually part of it (but it was cut, probably so it would fit onto the lever). sorry i don't have a picture now. The new boot I have looks different than what's left on the metal thing. I will somehow get it on anyway, but something doesn't look quite right.

 

yes
put that ontop of the metal thing
thats what you are suppose to do.