Notchy shifter (sometimes), sticking on the right side, general loose feeling in the shifter. Time for new bushings. Trying to figure out what I need from Mazdatrix. Do I just need new upper and lower bushings, or do I also need the 'lever end'?

 

take it off and look.,it's only 3 bolts to get at the shifter bushings(after you pop the shifter surround off).

 

Am I going to have to remove the shift lever itself, or can I see from the top?

And...I can't figure out how to remove the shift ****.

 

Shift **** just twists off.

 

Shift **** twists off.

Shift boot is held by 4 bolts, one on each corner which attach to a metal retaining square that holds the rubber boots in.

If you are talking about the leather boot. It pops right out by CAREFULLY prying at the four corners of the plastic/rubber surround piece.

Yes, shifter will have to come out unless you have X-Ray vision like superman.

 

You don't have to take the Boot off.
just get teh surround UP enough and the rubber surrounding the Shifter actually Folds onto each piece(there are 3 pieces)
Pop a piece off and you see the 3 bolts.
You can take the **** off,to make things a bit easier by getting the shifter surround out of the way,But is is Not really Necessary.
Look a www.mazdatrix.com and find the Shifter Bushings and its rubber surround counterparts.You should be able to See How things go together,
Now,IF you Look at the Video of the Shortthrow shifter install on that site you can se where the shifter bushings are located.
You may as well TRY this.as This is "easy" compared to other things you are going to encounter later on with the car.

 

So what exactly should I be looking for as to the condition of the 'lever end' ($40 bushing Mazdatrix sells with the other shifter bushings). Will possible removal of the shift lever to see the condition of the lever end cause further damage to the upper/lower bushings? And what about the rest of the linkage, are the bushings replaceable further in that the shift lever?

 

Changed mine last week, difference is unbelievable !


You will need:

Upper bushings:
http://www.mazdatrix.com/getprice.as...m=17-481A-M508

Lower bushing:
http://www.mazdatrix.com/getprice.as...m=17-4810-M501

Gasket:
http://www.mazdatrix.com/getprice.as...m=17-4740-0303

Be sure to put that spring from the lower bushing at the bottom of the assembly,
you will see what I mean when you have unmounted that stuff.

You might as well change the rubber boots while you are at it:
http://www.mazdatrix.com/getprice.as...m=64-490B-FB01

Stops smells comming in the car and puts the shifter **** back to centered position
when left in neutral. They are often damaged on our cars.

If you want to give it back more of the original stiffness you might as well consider this:
http://www.mazdatrix.com/getprice.as...m=17-480A-M513


See HowTo for install procedure:
http://www.mazdatrix.com/faq/shiftbsh.htm

Be sure to put an decent amount of oil back in when you mount the new bushings.
Also important, clean out the reminds of the old bushings and spray the lever
with brake cleaner.


Steven

ps. glad you liked "Elfenlied" too