was reading the MazdaTrix FAQ and I see they have upper and lower bushing kits and also said they always replace the boot if it is ripped.

well I never replaced the boot on my old cars.

do I have to do that? the bushings themselves are cheap but the boot kit is like $50 for new rubber boots.

can I jsut get the upper & lower bushings and be done with it?

that is the first time I ever read that you had to replace the boot too.

 

as they said, if the boot is ripped it is a good idea to replace it. the boot will deteriorate quickly once it has already started to rip or crack and will cause dirt, water, grease, etc.. to be able to work it's way into the shifter and wear things down quicker. mine are all ripped up so i am planning on forking out the $50 as well.


it's your money, do what you want with it.

 

Replacing bushings are enough since ripping boots does not affect the shifting sloppiness. But for the long run, put it on your list to replace later.

 

Is it hot down there in Louisiana? Hmmmm? Well, those boots keep A LOT of engine and exhaust system heat from coming up into the inside of the car. I live in NJ, and changing those boots made a HUGE difference in the summer. If they're cracked, they're letting the heat in.

 

Yes...it's hot down here. Just yesterday it was 85 degrees! Freakin February! And it snowed just this past weekend in NJ. I have a friend up there.

I have had to replace both the bushings in my 86. Well...actually, I just added 1...I think the other one is going bad now, cuz it is getting to where I can move the stick up and down.

I just make sure to keep my boot cover nice and armor-all'd up so as to not let it dry up and start cracking in the heat of the summer.

 

Just to clarify - We're talking about the 3 rubber boots located beneath the vinyl/leather boot that covers up most of the gearshift. Cost about $50 for the three. They're the ones that will seal against heat and fumes. The vinyl/leather boot around the shifter is primarily for looks, not sealing.

 

Ah...yeah..ok....gotcha....I havent had to replace that....though it might be a good idea to keep that armor-all'd also. Ill have a look at mine to see how it is doing. I gotta bleed my clutch also. All the fluid leaked out somewhere...so I have to find the leak. Needless to say...I got a lot of work cut out for me.

 

yeha i def gotta replace those since i can smell good ol gas and exhaust

 

ok im confused when i did my auto to 5-sp swap i bought that 50$ set from mazdatrix but my shifter wiggles up and down and has alot of play just how many boots are you supposed to have?

 

if there is play, then the shifter bushings need to be replaced.

There are three boots, plus the one on the shifter to the shifter housing.

The one on the shifter to the shifter housing is the most important. That should be replaced if the bushings are replaced.

 

Yeah...you need to replace the bushings. One is under the ball of the stick and one is on top of it....if I had a picture I would show you, but my car is at the house and Im at work. But all you have to do is replace the bushings (they are cheap) and all that play will be gone. If feels so much better with new bushings. Trust me.