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Is there a trick to getting the linkage bolt out or is mine just being a b---- cause its rusted? I got the nut off but the bolt wont budge

Its just a b----, you mean the one by the trans right?

Its hit or miss if they come out... I'd thread a dye onto the bolt, and then mushroom the head beating it out, and then thread the dye off to "fix" the threads.

Use big, heavy, sledge strokes instead of peppering it with a 12oz hammer.

Expect to buy a new bolt from Mazda for a few bucks. Another lame idea. Its a square head too, so you can't break it loose that way.

Also a C clamp and a socket to fit over the head (so the bolt slides into the socket when you compress it) might work.

Thanks Ryan,
I was actually talking about the one at the bottom of the shifter. It turned out it was just seized in there, had to heat it up to get it out. Its done now though and I didnèt even bother with the other 2. Made a huge differenfe in the shifter just from those two. I did buy new bolts as well so now I still have the front ones that I might get to eventually.

Are you doing the 3rd link as well? I need to do mine, but I haven't found the motivation for such a small gain yet.

After that i doubt it. The shifter is great now...on to other things.

It is only a gain if your bushings are completely shot, but mine were and replacing them was easy if you are already taking everthing else apart.

http://atlantamx3.com/mocaforum/viewtopic.php?t=2317

ccreech wrote:It is only a gain if your bushings are completely shot, but mine were and replacing them was easy if you are already taking everthing else apart.

http://atlantamx3.com/mocaforum/viewtopic.php?t=2317

I replaced the other 2 and shortly thereafter regained 3/4" slop side to side, zero for and back. I knew it was the 3rd link when I double checked the other two, and even carefully bent the jaws of the linkage to fit the bushings/shifter perfectly snug without grinding. That helped a tiny bit, but it's definitely 3rd link wiggle.

I'm going to post a shifter rebuild suggestion. Take a look!

stevesei wrote:I'm going to post a shifter rebuild suggestion. Take a look!

Nice post

See my post about 3rd link bushings. Replacing makes a huge improvement, and there are other things you can do at the same time.

stevesei wrote:See my post about 3rd link bushings. Replacing makes a huge improvement, and there are other things you can do at the same time.

Where is it?

Far anyone attempting this job.
Simply spray the bolts with penetrate then after a bit use a C clamp and press the bolts out, works like a charm. I have also had great success using a pneumatic impact chizzel.