This is probably an easy fix, but I didn't see anything about it in the Haynes. When I took my boot off there was a lot of tape under it, leading me to believe someone was trying to keep exhaust from seeping up into the cabin. Is there a cover that is supposed to be there under the boot or did he just put all the tape there because there probably was an exhaust leak. I've never seen what's supposed to be under there so I thought someone else might know.

 

If you look at Mazdatrix's web site you can get a good idea of the boots for preventing exhaust infiltration. There are three separate boots. The bottom one is the largest being held in place by 4 10mm bolts. Next there are is a middle boot that slips over the shifter and attaches to the large lower boot. Finally, a third top boot again slips over the shifter and attaches to the middle boot. Relatively cheap to replace all three. Also, there is one more that you can replace but it is for keeping dirt and grime out of the transmission shifter tower. It is listed as the inner boot that bolts to the transmission tower.

http://www.mazdatrix.com/g4.htm

 

Sweet man. You've been a big help.