Trans Tunnel Shifter Boot: Do you know how important it is?
03-21-11, 03:47 PM
#1
MECP Certified Installer
Thread Starter
Trans Tunnel Shifter Boot: Do you know how important it is?
I have been gritting my teeth for 3 years refusing to pay $70 on a piece of freaking rubber, but I finally broke down and ordered the 3 piece shifter boot my for S5.
I am posting this because I am now kicking myself for not doing it sooner!
I did not take pics of the install process as it is pretty straight forward. Haynes will tell you that you need to remove the entire dash assembly. This is not true in the slightest. You can remove the square metal retainer without removing the dash. It takes some finesse and being careful, but it can be done without damaging the seemingly "brittle glass" yellow plastic surrounding it.
I have replaced my shifter bushings and while that helped, I had sloppy shifter. I even added an extra spring to try and stiffen it up....nope. I thought my shifter return spring was broken but I could clearly see it still intact inside of the shifter tower. After adding the new mazda OEM boot assembly my shifter feels like it SHOULD feel. It's wonderful!
Besides now having the greater shifter feel I was looking for, I now don't have exhaust heat and gas coming through my transmission tower.
If you need a new shifter boot, I highly recommend you replace it. Money well spent!
I am posting this because I am now kicking myself for not doing it sooner!
I did not take pics of the install process as it is pretty straight forward. Haynes will tell you that you need to remove the entire dash assembly. This is not true in the slightest. You can remove the square metal retainer without removing the dash. It takes some finesse and being careful, but it can be done without damaging the seemingly "brittle glass" yellow plastic surrounding it.
I have replaced my shifter bushings and while that helped, I had sloppy shifter. I even added an extra spring to try and stiffen it up....nope. I thought my shifter return spring was broken but I could clearly see it still intact inside of the shifter tower. After adding the new mazda OEM boot assembly my shifter feels like it SHOULD feel. It's wonderful!
Besides now having the greater shifter feel I was looking for, I now don't have exhaust heat and gas coming through my transmission tower.
If you need a new shifter boot, I highly recommend you replace it. Money well spent!
03-21-11, 04:22 PM
#2
Vintage sportcars
Hi,
already done by now =)
Found them teared up while changing shifter bushings, bushings were quasi non existing anymore
(dont know how the PO could drive with that for so long...)
Replaced the boots also and that little round metal plate with rubber ring on the middle.
Feels really good now compared to before but I have a return spring missing/broken
It still doesnt return to center when pulling to the left, I am too lazy to fix this, as it requires tranny work.
Thats a manouver I cant do in the parking lot.
Sometimes it does grind very softly when going from 2nd to 3rd, that makes me want to replace that damn spring but with good shifting technique it can be kept away.
Also heel-toe shifting is waay simpler to do with proper bushings and boots on the shifter.
Recommend this to everyone, at least check them.
StevenL5975
already done by now =)
Found them teared up while changing shifter bushings, bushings were quasi non existing anymore
(dont know how the PO could drive with that for so long...)
Replaced the boots also and that little round metal plate with rubber ring on the middle.
Feels really good now compared to before but I have a return spring missing/broken
It still doesnt return to center when pulling to the left, I am too lazy to fix this, as it requires tranny work.
Thats a manouver I cant do in the parking lot.
Sometimes it does grind very softly when going from 2nd to 3rd, that makes me want to replace that damn spring but with good shifting technique it can be kept away.
Also heel-toe shifting is waay simpler to do with proper bushings and boots on the shifter.
Recommend this to everyone, at least check them.
StevenL5975
03-21-11, 04:26 PM
#3
MECP Certified Installer
Thread Starter
^^^^
Agreed. I had to finesse the shifter into 2nd and 3rd not the get a grind, but I got used to it and never had a problem. Having the spring leverage of the factory boot at my disposal, I no longer have to compensate for the lack of shifter support/control. The boot seems as if it was designed like a spring itself. It makes shifting MUCH easier and no more "notchy" shifting.
Just to add, installing the "third boot" or rather the last boot to go in place can be tricky as it has to slide over the much wider shifter lever. Spit on it, use a bit of grease, and you'll get it in the right spot. The third and second boot should be sitting on top of each other basically. The third boot does not need to stick up high like it seems it should by the way it is designed.
Agreed. I had to finesse the shifter into 2nd and 3rd not the get a grind, but I got used to it and never had a problem. Having the spring leverage of the factory boot at my disposal, I no longer have to compensate for the lack of shifter support/control. The boot seems as if it was designed like a spring itself. It makes shifting MUCH easier and no more "notchy" shifting.
Just to add, installing the "third boot" or rather the last boot to go in place can be tricky as it has to slide over the much wider shifter lever. Spit on it, use a bit of grease, and you'll get it in the right spot. The third and second boot should be sitting on top of each other basically. The third boot does not need to stick up high like it seems it should by the way it is designed.
Last edited by jjwalker; 03-21-11 at 04:30 PM.
03-21-11, 04:42 PM
#4
Vintage sportcars
Yes, I used oil to get it over the shift lever. Castrol engine oil to be correct to get it over,
its gonna smell for a longtime after it in your car. Love that smell
The boots do act a bit as a spring, especially when pulling out of a gear back in neutral.
Unfortunatly it is not as strong as I expected to compensate a little for the lost return spring.
When you unmount the leather shift boot you can see how far the rubber boots are stretching
when going through the gears. It surely helps, but not too much.
StevenL5975
its gonna smell for a longtime after it in your car. Love that smell
The boots do act a bit as a spring, especially when pulling out of a gear back in neutral.
Unfortunatly it is not as strong as I expected to compensate a little for the lost return spring.
When you unmount the leather shift boot you can see how far the rubber boots are stretching
when going through the gears. It surely helps, but not too much.
StevenL5975
03-22-11, 01:21 PM
#5
MECP Certified Installer
Thread Starter
My spring is intact fortunately. I am convinced though, the return springs load was designed to coincide with the spring loading force of the factory boot. With both in good working order, the shifter feels as it should.
03-06-12, 11:00 AM
#6
Where did you order the 3 piece shifter boot?
I have been gritting my teeth for 3 years refusing to pay $70 on a piece of freaking rubber, but I finally broke down and ordered the 3 piece shifter boot my for S5.
I am posting this because I am now kicking myself for not doing it sooner!
I did not take pics of the install process as it is pretty straight forward. Haynes will tell you that you need to remove the entire dash assembly. This is not true in the slightest. You can remove the square metal retainer without removing the dash. It takes some finesse and being careful, but it can be done without damaging the seemingly "brittle glass" yellow plastic surrounding it.
I have replaced my shifter bushings and while that helped, I had sloppy shifter. I even added an extra spring to try and stiffen it up....nope. I thought my shifter return spring was broken but I could clearly see it still intact inside of the shifter tower. After adding the new mazda OEM boot assembly my shifter feels like it SHOULD feel. It's wonderful!
Besides now having the greater shifter feel I was looking for, I now don't have exhaust heat and gas coming through my transmission tower.
If you need a new shifter boot, I highly recommend you replace it. Money well spent!
I am posting this because I am now kicking myself for not doing it sooner!
I did not take pics of the install process as it is pretty straight forward. Haynes will tell you that you need to remove the entire dash assembly. This is not true in the slightest. You can remove the square metal retainer without removing the dash. It takes some finesse and being careful, but it can be done without damaging the seemingly "brittle glass" yellow plastic surrounding it.
I have replaced my shifter bushings and while that helped, I had sloppy shifter. I even added an extra spring to try and stiffen it up....nope. I thought my shifter return spring was broken but I could clearly see it still intact inside of the shifter tower. After adding the new mazda OEM boot assembly my shifter feels like it SHOULD feel. It's wonderful!
Besides now having the greater shifter feel I was looking for, I now don't have exhaust heat and gas coming through my transmission tower.
If you need a new shifter boot, I highly recommend you replace it. Money well spent!
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03-06-12, 05:54 PM
#8
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Mazdatrix has it 64-490B-FB01 55.54 plus shipping/tax.
They also have all the other little bits and pieces (springs, bushings, seals, etc.)
Check the dealer first if they more convenient.
Best
They also have all the other little bits and pieces (springs, bushings, seals, etc.)
Check the dealer first if they more convenient.
Best
03-06-12, 06:26 PM
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I called the dealership and the guy said 120$ I'm not sure if I'm asking for the right part.
And on atkinsrotary I'm not sure if I'm looking at the right thing.
Some help would be appreciated i have the same problem
And on atkinsrotary I'm not sure if I'm looking at the right thing.
Some help would be appreciated i have the same problem
03-06-12, 09:23 PM
#11
Bolts to transmission tunnel:
http://atkinsrotary.com/store/catalo...0-p-17922.html
And also Mazdatrix,
http://www.mazdatrix.com/g4.htm (about halfway down)
There is also an inner boot, which gets bolted to the shifter tower on the transmission itself.
The "middle" boot kit should be around $55. It sounds like you were quoted a price for the leather shift boot and panel.
http://atkinsrotary.com/store/catalo...0-p-17922.html
And also Mazdatrix,
http://www.mazdatrix.com/g4.htm (about halfway down)
There is also an inner boot, which gets bolted to the shifter tower on the transmission itself.
The "middle" boot kit should be around $55. It sounds like you were quoted a price for the leather shift boot and panel.
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