Finally got the part and the time to fix. For anyone who needs to know. The shift rod boot can be taken out of the top of the bearing housing with out removing the bearing housing itself, therefore saving the gasket. Just be certain to apply a lubricant so that it can be manipulated up and out of the housing. You will probably need to work it out with a screw driver or other similar tool. To install the new one . Again apply some lubricant to to the bottom of the boot and apply downward pressure evenly til you see that it has seated itself evenly. Also apply grease or oil to the shift rod so that the boot slides down the shift shaft. I turned and actually screwed the boot over the threads at the top of the shift rod to bring it down the shaft without damaging it.
That being said you would be better off removing the bearing carrier and replacing the gasket underneath it. In this manner you may inspect your bearing and also insure visually that the bottom of the boot has seated itself properly.
