How do you actually get the top off of the shift lever so you can pull the boot up? I'm getting ready to do my bushing and can't seem to get it off, and don't want to break anything. Thanks in advance!

 

Huh? You mean the shift ****? Mine (s5) just un-screws...

Then I pop off the surround, and the actual shifter is attached with 3 10mm bolts (i think, maybe 4, cant remember) under the boot, and it just popped right out.

EDIT: cool sig BTW! I've seen it before, never noticed the rotor in the middle.

 

I've tried twisting it off, and it just won't give. Glad you like teh sig, I wish my wife would let me get it tattoed somewhere, hehe (not like I'd really do it.)

 

get a crescent wrench on the locking "nut" that butts up against the shifter ****, and twist it "off", or down, to release the ****...Pull the shifter surround out with the boot, might have to (gently) pry it up at the back to get it started...Remove the 3 10mm bolts that hold the "collar" down over the bushings & shifter ball, then lift that sucker out of there...

 

Cool, that crescent wrench thing helped alot, thanks

That was an easy-*** job once the whole thing is apart. Took me ~45 minutes and the difference is awesome. Feels like a new car.

How long do replacement bushing usually last? I gooped mine up with lots of lith. grease, and filled the tower as far as possible with the good royal purple gear lube, so I'm hoping that will prolong thier life by a decent amount.

 

Got no idea how they'll last... but as long as there's some gear lube in they're you're good for a while.

Do you have a short shifter?

If not.... man, you really need to get one!!! The way the car feels is just.... wow... totally different. Ive driven another FC... same series n/a as mine, and with the stock shifter... im SOOO glad I have my shortie

Its a mazdatrix btw, just as easy to install as you just did.

 

While we're on the subject, how do I get the old plastic bushing off of the lever once I have the lever out of the socket? Does it snap over the middle, larger ball? I can't for the life of me get it off. One bushing and spring goes inside where the little guide pin is sticking out, and the other bushing and spring goes onto the actual level, but I can't figure out how it gets on there. Am I going to have to saw the old one off or something?

 

The rubber on the 3-bolt cover plate will stretch enough to pull the plate up off the lever.
The bushing & spring rings can then go on & off the top end of the lever.