Erik
05-08-2009, 02:32 PM
Any one who has bought almost any 90's and early 2000 Mazda knows EXACTLY what im talking about. Whatever it was that made Mazda think this what a good idea must be labeled as a major fail.
Anyway, I have here, a step by step instruction on how to change that god damn accordion shift boot. From my understanding, they are all fairly similar, but this is done on a 97 Mazda Protege ES BP. Here is how we started out.\
Supplies List
-Flathead Screwdriver
--What i used to pop the buttons to release the console
-Universal or Vehicle specific shift boot
--Used for what this entire damn write is about
-4 Point Screwdriver
--8 screws total
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v336/215/45/1333314716/n1333314716_30068680_5900.jpg
my god i just threw up from that boot.
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145309836272_1333314716_30388328_1886605_n.j pg
First, we gotta remove those little plastic buttons that hold the front half of the center console. They are down by the gas pedal and on the opposite side.
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145308996251_1333314716_30388325_6895371_n.j pg
After grabbing those first 2 out, slide your two front seats forward to reveal 2 more screws holding down the back half of your center console -- the part with your little arm rest and hand brake. If you want, you can pop those little tabs off for more support when lifting it out.
After those screws come out, the ass of the center console lifts from the back up and then should lift right off. They have little tabs that fit into the front half.
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145308356235_1333314716_30388323_6167886_n.j pg
My god that bitch is dirty. Anyway, these are the remaining 2 screws to hold the front half of the console in. Just screw these bad boys out and wiggle the front half out. Remember to take your shift knob off........
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145306796196_1333314716_30388316_2338804_n.j pg
I know its dirty. You wanna fight about it!?
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145307276208_1333314716_30388317_8325609_n.j pg
Here is that dreaded plate that apparently no one can ever find. Just 4 simple screws.
If your lost by now, give up and sell your car.
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145306476188_1333314716_30388315_4653267_n.j pg
Here is just the OEM shift boot taken off of that clip. Not to difficult. It just pulls right out. This thing is 12 years old and still tough...maybe thats why Mazda used it?
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145306076178_1333314716_30388313_454684_n.jp g
Since i suck at life, i just grabbed a universal shift boot from pep boys. Do we have a :shootmyself: smiley yet? If you got one, the bungeed(sp?) end just slips right on over the lip on the plate. Itll stay on there pretty well despite looking like it will shoot off.
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145305276158_1333314716_30388312_6341619_n.j pg
Now take the fake shift boot and fit it through the gaping hole in the front half of your console and screw it back in. The plate will sandwhich the boot into place making it snug. It has enough slack that none of the gears should put enough tension to pull it out anyway.
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145303876123_1333314716_30388311_2077905_n.j pg
As the infamous Haynes Manual states, "Reverse instructions for installation." I dont get paid enough to take pictures of how to put the **** back together...god damn greedy people.
Questions? Ask.
Sticky this if you like.
Anyway, I have here, a step by step instruction on how to change that god damn accordion shift boot. From my understanding, they are all fairly similar, but this is done on a 97 Mazda Protege ES BP. Here is how we started out.\
Supplies List
-Flathead Screwdriver
--What i used to pop the buttons to release the console
-Universal or Vehicle specific shift boot
--Used for what this entire damn write is about
-4 Point Screwdriver
--8 screws total
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v336/215/45/1333314716/n1333314716_30068680_5900.jpg
my god i just threw up from that boot.
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145309836272_1333314716_30388328_1886605_n.j pg
First, we gotta remove those little plastic buttons that hold the front half of the center console. They are down by the gas pedal and on the opposite side.
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145308996251_1333314716_30388325_6895371_n.j pg
After grabbing those first 2 out, slide your two front seats forward to reveal 2 more screws holding down the back half of your center console -- the part with your little arm rest and hand brake. If you want, you can pop those little tabs off for more support when lifting it out.
After those screws come out, the ass of the center console lifts from the back up and then should lift right off. They have little tabs that fit into the front half.
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145308356235_1333314716_30388323_6167886_n.j pg
My god that bitch is dirty. Anyway, these are the remaining 2 screws to hold the front half of the console in. Just screw these bad boys out and wiggle the front half out. Remember to take your shift knob off........
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145306796196_1333314716_30388316_2338804_n.j pg
I know its dirty. You wanna fight about it!?
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145307276208_1333314716_30388317_8325609_n.j pg
Here is that dreaded plate that apparently no one can ever find. Just 4 simple screws.
If your lost by now, give up and sell your car.
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145306476188_1333314716_30388315_4653267_n.j pg
Here is just the OEM shift boot taken off of that clip. Not to difficult. It just pulls right out. This thing is 12 years old and still tough...maybe thats why Mazda used it?
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145306076178_1333314716_30388313_454684_n.jp g
Since i suck at life, i just grabbed a universal shift boot from pep boys. Do we have a :shootmyself: smiley yet? If you got one, the bungeed(sp?) end just slips right on over the lip on the plate. Itll stay on there pretty well despite looking like it will shoot off.
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145305276158_1333314716_30388312_6341619_n.j pg
Now take the fake shift boot and fit it through the gaping hole in the front half of your console and screw it back in. The plate will sandwhich the boot into place making it snug. It has enough slack that none of the gears should put enough tension to pull it out anyway.
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs029.snc1/4293_1145303876123_1333314716_30388311_2077905_n.j pg
As the infamous Haynes Manual states, "Reverse instructions for installation." I dont get paid enough to take pictures of how to put the **** back together...god damn greedy people.
Questions? Ask.
Sticky this if you like.