Transmission and shifter housing question

tweiss3 · 09-05-2010, 11:37 AM

I've got a good question for you guys. I have an exhaust leak at the joint by the shifter. I am going to address that today hopefully. Unfortunately its hot and melted the rubber shifter boot. Now I know its rubber to allow the drivetrain shift, but does it really need to be rubber? Could I make a solid plate for it? I have some 1/16th inch steel plate sitting in the garage. Or does it NEED to be movable. And if it does, where can i get that boot for cheap. Im on a tight budget right now, but the hot air up through the shifter hole sucks right now. I wana fix it well in both aspects.

Pete_89T2 · 09-05-2010, 05:28 PM

Get that exhaust leak fixed ASAP - exhaust fumes leaking into the cabin can kill you before you know it. Don't drive it around that way, and if you're foolish enough to do so, keep the windows wide open.

As for the rubber boot that bolts down to the tranny tunnel, you can't replace that with sheet metal - it needs to be flexible b/c the tranny shifter extension will rock a bit under torque. It's a relatively cheap part - under $50 I bought one not too long ago from Ray Crowe at Malloy Mazda. Ask for the "middle boot kit" - comes with the "lower" boot (the one you need that bolts to the tunnel, secured by the plate w/4 bolts), plus the 2 "middle" boots that go over the shifter lever, and then tuck over the lower boot. My guess is you probably need those too - they are usually melted to goo and torn to shreds after 20+ years. Unfortunately Mazda doesn't sell these individually - need to buy all 3 in the kit.

tweiss3 · 09-05-2010, 06:09 PM

Alright, I gota maybe have a shop look at it. I tried with some gasket material, it didnt work. I always drive with the sun roof open and windows down, so im ok for a few days in that matter. I think i need a shop to look at it.

Its good to know about the boot kit. I need them all. Im frustrated the whole system is leaking. Maybe i will pull the whole system out as one and put it back in in one piece.

09-05-2010, 11:37 AM	#1
tweiss3 Mazda Lover Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Akron, Ohio iTrader: (0) Posts: 319 Rep Power: 15	Transmission and shifter housing question I've got a good question for you guys. I have an exhaust leak at the joint by the shifter. I am going to address that today hopefully. Unfortunately its hot and melted the rubber shifter boot. Now I know its rubber to allow the drivetrain shift, but does it really need to be rubber? Could I make a solid plate for it? I have some 1/16th inch steel plate sitting in the garage. Or does it NEED to be movable. And if it does, where can i get that boot for cheap. Im on a tight budget right now, but the hot air up through the shifter hole sucks right now. I wana fix it well in both aspects. __________________ 2004 Mazda6 V6 5-spd - still waiting on money for a motor 1991 Mazda RX7 NA 5-spd - my new DD with 145,000 miles

09-05-2010, 06:09 PM	#3
tweiss3 Mazda Lover Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Akron, Ohio iTrader: (0) Posts: 319 Rep Power: 15	Alright, I gota maybe have a shop look at it. I tried with some gasket material, it didnt work. I always drive with the sun roof open and windows down, so im ok for a few days in that matter. I think i need a shop to look at it. Its good to know about the boot kit. I need them all. Im frustrated the whole system is leaking. Maybe i will pull the whole system out as one and put it back in in one piece. __________________ 2004 Mazda6 V6 5-spd - still waiting on money for a motor 1991 Mazda RX7 NA 5-spd - my new DD with 145,000 miles

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09-05-2010, 05:28 PM	#2
Pete_89T2 Lifetime Rotorhead Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Elkton, MD iTrader: (1) Posts: 874 Rep Power: 15	Get that exhaust leak fixed ASAP - exhaust fumes leaking into the cabin can kill you before you know it. Don't drive it around that way, and if you're foolish enough to do so, keep the windows wide open. As for the rubber boot that bolts down to the tranny tunnel, you can't replace that with sheet metal - it needs to be flexible b/c the tranny shifter extension will rock a bit under torque. It's a relatively cheap part - under $50 I bought one not too long ago from Ray Crowe at Malloy Mazda. Ask for the "middle boot kit" - comes with the "lower" boot (the one you need that bolts to the tunnel, secured by the plate w/4 bolts), plus the 2 "middle" boots that go over the shifter lever, and then tuck over the lower boot. My guess is you probably need those too - they are usually melted to goo and torn to shreds after 20+ years. Unfortunately Mazda doesn't sell these individually - need to buy all 3 in the kit.