I just did the bushing replacement using Mazdatrix parts and and you guys' excellent instructions. I replaced the inner boot, of course, but neither of the other two rubber boots were there when I pulled off the leather boot-just the inner boot. Do I need to replace them too?

 

Umm I'm not positive on this but I think it's just to keep small debir out and heat.

 

The smell too.

 

You'd ought to replace them now while you're at it, IMO. Could you live w/o them? sure... but you probably could live w/o the bushing replacement too. Less noise, less heat/cool from outside, less smell, etc. etc.

they're cheap, replace them. Oh, and they probably were there, just disentegrated like mine..

 

yeah, mine's really bad too. just get them anyway.

 

Also, Mazdatrix says to fill the shift tower "to middle of shift rod" with 90W. What does that mean? Should the plastic bushings themselves be in oil? I filled it up to the bottom of the metal ledge that the bottom (white) bushing sits on.

 

Yep pour some gear lube in there. I filled it up just like they mentioned and addid a bit on the bushings to make sure they don't get all scrapped from not being lubed.

Santiago

PS- ALWAYS USE LUBE!!

 

I finished the bushing repair, took it out for a drive and it shifts like a dream. Tight and crisp! Also, my intermittent "shuddering" on takeoff from standing start appears to have disappeared. Maybe the shifter was so sloppy that it wasn't getting properly into 1st gear at stoplights?