1981-85 Mazda RX7 Shift Boot

Step 1. Unscrew the shift knob counterclockwise, and remove from the shifter assembly. There is a silver "stop nut" that must also be removed, unscrew it, and remove.

Step 2. Using your hands only, lift the plastic console piece up. be sure not to force it, it will come loose with minimal force, and the clips will let go. lift the console piece up and over the shifter, along with the shift boot attached.

Step 3. Since you're working with 20+ year old car here, chances are your little clips under the shifter surround are all broken, this will make the removal of the boot very straight forward. otherwise, carefully un-do the clips, and remove the boot. If you are re-using the clips, take care to not break them, as they do break quite easily. if you are working with broken clips/no clips at all, continue to step 5.

Step 4. Even if you have the clips, also use the Velcro strips provided (step 5).

Step 5. Clean the bottom side of the console with isoprophyl alcohol. You might want to remove the rest of the clips if only some of them are left.

Step 6. Slide the boot through the center console, making sure the short side faces the rear of the car (as did the stock boot) - you can't do it wrong, actually, it will only fit right one way. 7. Using Automotive GOOP or any other EPOXY-BASED glue, attach the strips of Velcro separable from the boot to the console. Wait some time (designated on the label of the glue) until it dries and hold the Velcro strips properly. Before attaching the Velcro, trim the front and rear Velcro pieces to fit between the main clips of the surround piece. Trim the side Velcro pieces as to prevent overlapping the side radius of the surround piece, it will not fit properly into the console if any Velcro overhangs the sides.

Step 7. Use the Velcro strips on the surround piece and the mating strips on the boot to secure the boot to the surround piece. Start by attaching the rearward strip first, then the front strip. When securing the sides, try to "line up" the stitching of the boot with the corners of the surround piece.

Step 8. Re-install the silver "stop nut" back onto the shifter. this will help you to adjust the shift knob to its final resting position. You will want to make sure that it is adjusted so your shift knob will stop in the proper position now, before you go any further with the install (it will be harder to turn this nut once the boot is attached to it). Turn the boot inside out, and slip the top over the shifter, and attach it to the "stop nut", (there is a groove in the nut that makes this very easy and straight forward). you may use a plastic zip-tie, or anything that will hold it in place. Plastic coated wire works well too. Make sure to leave about a 1/2" inch overlapping to ensure it doesn't come loose and slip off the "stop nut".

Step 9. Pull the shifter surround down, and over the boot, and snap it back into place. adjust the boot with your fingers the way you like it. all you have to do is install the shift knob back on, and you're finished!

Step 10. Set the emergency brake.

Step 11. Turn the new leather brake boot inside out.

Step 12. Carefully slip the small, top opening of the boot over the entire handle. This might be tight and you may need some patience (this first part is the most difficult) to work it all the way.

Step 13. Make sure that the top seam of the boot is facing up. Slide the narrow top edge of the inverted boot a short distance past the point where the leather handle and the plastic lever cover intersect.

Step 14. Secure the boot at this intersection point using a nylon wire tie. Trim off the unwanted length of the wire tie. It is recommended that you position the "knot" of the wire tie underneath the handle.

Step 15. Now pull the boot over the handle toward the back, so that it turns right side out. Pull carefully on the boot as far as it goes until you can barely see the end of the brake handle against the top part of the boot, where the wire tie is fastened, when stretched.

Step 16. At the base of the brake lever there is a carpet flap held in place by Velcro. Pull up on the flap and tuck the leather boot through the whole in the flap, facing the driver's side. You may need to move the seat forward or backward to gain easy access to it.

Step 17. Arrange the leather boot around the lever on either side: On the side facing the passenger and the center console, it should just hang freely. On the driver's side the boot should be tucked underneath the carpet, through the carpet flap. Move the flap back in place and secure it with the Velcro strip.

Step 18. Make sure that the leather boot or the carpet does not interfere with the function of the brake lever at the front and rear points. Try the brake lever several times. The boot should not interfere in any way.

Step 19. Finally, arrange the boot to your liking around the lever.