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Well, I knew it would happen sooner or later. I was thinking of some alternative to actually replacing the whole linkage, and I'm wondering if I'd be able to just weld the two pieces together for a more permanent fix. Those little plastic clips just don't cut it, and I can't believe that's all that was holding it up.<p>So, could those pieces be welded, or not?

Mine fell through, i just put in a self tapping screw through the 2 peices to hold it together. Works well!

this has happen twice to me i just replaced it the 1st time but yes i am doing the self tapping screws as well due to the design itself was poor quality and i dont feel like giving mazda dealership another 90 bucks

Ahh, good idea guys, thanks.

it happened to me too and I replaced it the first time, but it just happened to my friend a few weeks and and he used a u-bolt, sounds a little more secure than a self-tapping screw

Actually those two clips don't hold it up, the rubber bushing inside the shifter assembly is what holds it up.<p>Kinda hard to explain. Basically there is 3 parts of the linkage: the shifter linkage arm that attaches to the tranny, the shift stabilizer rod which is the other arm you see going to the transmission (but doens't change the gears), and the plate that is bolted to the interior of your car.<p>
basically the plate has the round enclosure for the shift stabilizer arm to go into. THe shift stabilizer arm is surrounded with a rubber bushing that "pops" into the plate and stays in place with two square shaped nubs that expand outward. This is what actually holds up the linkage. After about 8 years, it begins to detriorate. I had to replace the linkage on my Protege already with one off a 323.<p>As for holding it up, I tried the "drill a screw through it all" and that only worked for about a month before the screw came loose. Then I tried a nut and bolt setup. It kept getting loose. <p>I'd suggest either making your own bracket, replacing the whole damn thing, or using lock tite on a bolt w/ nut. Just using a screw isn't going to last. If you used a bolt or two (i used two SMALL ones) then it might hold longer, but keep in mind that it gets hot under there, and will rust during the winter due to exhaust heat.

i just said screw it and welded it mine up there