Hey guys, I'm replacing shifter bushings on my 89. the dark colored bushing was on the bottom, the white was on the top. According to mazdatrix how-to, this is reversed. Also, I'll need to replace the inner boot as well but it seems that lots of the boot rubber is up inside the shifter itself. Will that section come with the new inner boot? I assume I need to dig that rubber out, but it sure looks like it way up inside the shifter shaft.
I appreciate any advise.
Oh also I ordered shifter bushings from Ray, he sent 2 white ones. The dark one seems less thick than the white, are the whites both top and bottom?

 

Any tips on this guys?

 

Mazdatrix website has a good breakdown on the shifter removal and replacement with pics and video

 

Yep I looked at it, according to the pics the white thicker bushing goes inside the shifter housing. Just want to verify that's correct, sure is a tight fit, the dark thinner bushing goes in easily. Has anyone put the white one inside the shift housing?

 

If I remember correctly, the oem part lacks the second bushing. I had to reuse the used one, which I finally changed with a new one, buying a second oem part. What made the most difference was filling the shifter hole with transmission oil. I got a short shifter, it was sttling like crazy and now it's mostly silent. You can also use grease instead of transmission oil as described in a post by Aaron Cake somewhere.

 

i just play with the bushings until it is snug but not binding. doesn't matter which bushing goes where or how many spacers and wave washers you wind up with as long as it isn't floppy or you have to use your foot to move the shifter.

to clean out the debris, there is an inspection cover on the side of the tranny. kind of a pita to remove with it in the car but you'll never get it clean otherwise. just remove the plate and soak that bish with brake cleaner til it's shiney, seal it up with some fresh silicone and top off the shifter with fresh oil.

 

The stock shifter is 2 pieces. Held together by a rubber bushing. Don't dig out the bushing you're talking about, only the bottom part gets replaced.