I took apart my shifter the other day, I have really notchy shifting, and I found this part inparticular bad shape. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what exactly it is, and perhaps even a part number from Mazda? Is it a shifter bushing?
http://www.pbase.com/image/3111465
http://www.pbase.com/image/3111468
http://www.pbase.com/image/3111512

 

Item C:

http://www.mazdatrix.com/g4.htm

http://www.mazdatrix.com/getprice.as...m=17-480A-M513

 

Is it absolutly nessesary that I change this peice, or could I just live with it being in the shape it is in? I don't wanna sound cheap or anything, but I don't wanna change something that don't need changing.

 

There's a reason why that metal got chewed-up. You should certainly replace your bushings. You could find this piece in a junkyard for very little money, certainly. I would replace it.

Cory

 

You may as well change it,...it looks pretty bad. A shifter bushing kit doesnt cost much and it takes about an hour or so to replace.

Later,
Justin

 

I allready ordered shifter bushings, upper and lower, from the local mazda/chrysler/dodge/jeep/kia dealership.
that always makes me laugh.. goes along with living in a small town though, I don't think this peice will come with either of those though.
As far as I could tell my car didn't have any bushings in it at all when I bought it, 3 weeks ago. Is it safe to assume that this is the reason why this peice of chewed up so bad?

 

Yes.

You should change it, if you don't, gear oil will have a tendency to seep through it, and that **** stinks

 

Other than the gar oil are there any other adverse effects? I should still be able to drive the car with this one for alittle while at least, right?

 

Also, clean out the place where you put in the top oil. Hahaha, when i got mine, i took out staples paperclips and ROCK! alot of tiny little rocks!

 

mazda swears a lower bushing doesnt exist. If you get the bushings from mazda, order 2 sets of upper bushings. they are the same thing.

makes a night and day difference, and only takes 10 minutes to replace.

Jameson

 

When I went into the dealer and told them what I wanted, upper and lower bushings, the guy went to the backroom called some other dealer then came back and charged me $25 bux... he said 9 bux for upper 8 bux for lower and 5 bux for shipping and then tax's... he didn't say anything about there not being a lower bushing...

 

Not to worry you but I needed bolts for my water pump housing and my dad said he would go pick some up from the mazda dealership for me. I wrote everything about my car down and he took it with him. When he got back he bitched about how they cost him $8.00 a bolt and when he gave them to me I knew they were the wrong ones. It turns out they gave him ones for a 3rd gen and they wouldn't refund the money. Thats why I don't go through dealerships anymore. Just one of my horror stories here.
Charles

 

Not true, read this thread.

 

Mazdatrix has the 'mystical' bushing as part of the set. They actually brag about it on their site. They also have a page with step-by-step instruction on changing them out.

 

This is the inner boot...


make sure you order a new one of these as well. The latest versions BTW don't have the lip on them.