2003-12 SAAB 9-3
shift boot installation guide

For AUTO shift boot install please scroll down.

1. First, remove the shift knob which comes off easily by pulling it firmly from its position on the shifter (it may take some twisting and pulling in order to force it off).

2. Next, to actually remove the boot you must lift the trim piece that goes around the shifter as well as the ignition. To do so you just firmly pull the trim upward, around the ignition is the easiest point to lift it, and it will come right off.

3. Then, pull the shift boot so that it is flipped inside-out over the top of the shifter. At this point you can see the small zip-tie which is holding the shift boot at the collar to the plastic reverse protection collar, simply cut this tie and you can now move the boot and trim piece freely from the vehicle.

4. To remove the boot from the attached trim piece is simple, there is a small thin plastic piece which ensures that the boot is held to all sides of the trim piece.

5. To remove it simply pull the shift boot at the base from the back side pulling inward, the boot frame will simply unsnap from the trim piece.

6. Once the boot is fully removed from the trim piece it is very easy to remove the boot from the frame. All that needs to be done is to remove the six staples that fasten the boot to the frame.

Once this is complete the boot is fully removed from the vehicle. Now, just reverse the removal process in order to install the new boot.

ENJOY YOUR NEW LEATHER BOOTS!

AUTOMATIC SHIFT BOOT

1. Remove the rubber tray under the ash tray. Once the tray is removed, lift up on the trim piece to remove. Just lift it right over the shift knob.

2. Remove the silver piece from the shift knob by lifting from the bottom. This will expose a metal piece which is used to apply pressure to the shift knob botton/trigger. Remove that metal piece followed by the bottom/trigger.

3. Slide down the plastic cover piece from the bottom on the shift knob. This will allow access to the lock that holds the shift knob on to the shift lever. It sits as the base of the knob. Turn is clockwise till it stops. (12 o'clock to 2 o'clock) Once unlocked, the knob can be pulled off by pulling upward.

4. Put the shift boot around the knob(which should still be removed from the lever). While holding the boot in place with one hand, lift the boot, from the bottom as if turning it inside out, up enough so that when you put the knob back onto the shifter lever, you can lock it in place.

5. After the shift knob is locked back in place, just fold the boot back down, tucking it under the left and right side of the shift plate. Reinstall the botton/trigger for the knob and reinstall the trim piece around the shift plate and enjoy.