what is the secret to putting the boot back on at the back of the firewall where the shaft exits the passenger compartment? it wasn't on properly when i bought the car and now that i have swapped out bushing i want it hooked up. i taught my kids a number of new words today while trying to get that damn thing on...

there has to be an easy way i didn't think of. enlighten me please....

and now i will drink my beer and await your reply....

you have to slick it up a bit, soap?, i use glycerin. hook the top first, stretch it a bit and try and roll it on . i sort of turn it l/r to help walk the seal over the lip. one of those time havig 3 arms would help.

kevin

thanks kevin. i tried turning the boot end inside out and flipping back over on the lip. no go.

this will wait for another day. perhaps the fact it was about 35F in the garage made a difference?

and by the way, it is snowing to beat hell!

you don't happen to have a early car that was converted to side-shifter, have you?
in that case, the later boot won't fit and will just dangle around there.

Andy

i have a 73 but the boot does just dangle there......

hmmm, if i'm not mistaken there were a few '73s that were shipped with a tailshifter tranny.
or was that '72?

pics of the subject would help.
Andy

is the plate on the firewall round or a large oval? my guess is it's to damn cold. can you hang a trouble light near it to warm it up? a 35 deg garage makes for toasty fingers. if you put the car in 3rd it helps.

kevin

not under the car now but memory says a round plate on the firewall. my drop light is flourescent so no heat.

was gonna grab the wifes hair dryer but she decided that was a bad idea....

I put the bottom on first and stretch it towards the top. The bottom is hard to do because it is so close to that "lip" where the firewall and floorpans come together. Dont be afraid to bend the lip out of the way. You can bend it back when you are done.


B

It also is one of those things that is much more of a beotch to work on without a lift. Lying on your back on the cold, oily concrete, it is tough to get a good enough grip on that little sucker. BTDT.

that boot saved my butt. the cone screws backed out while driving. i manually set the car in second gear (at the tranny) and limped it home (rolling thru stopsigns ). that boot kept the screws in it.....just had to tighten em up and use some loctite

BTDT- not fun.... I did what Brad said to do. I also heard that you can heat the bushing up (boiling??), but haven't tried it.

Brad nailed it right on, you do the bottom first then slip the top over the flange. I tried for years to do it on my back, belly and side but a lift is just about mandatory. I guess you could have a deep hole to stand in too? Good luck