Torn/Disconnected shift linkage boot. How hard to fix?
 

While changing my oil tonight I was inspecting under the car and discovered that the boot that goes between the rear firewall and the transmission, covering the shift linkage (I think), has a small tear in it and IS NOT attached at the rear (to the transmission).

I tried getting the boot back on the transmission, but there's just no room to maneuver in there.

1) How bad is this (both the tear and the fact it's not connected)?
2) How involved/hard is it to replace this boot? It looks like the engine & tranny have to come out!?!?

Pics below show what I mean:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/...6ed3d1_b_d.jpg

Red circle shows the tear:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/...4389dc_b_d.jpg

See how it's not connected to the tranny?
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/...8f3357_b_d.jpg

Ha! Victory! I was able to finagle the boot back on so that it is now attached to the transmission.

However, my question about how serious I should consider the tear is still relevant. Thanks in advance for any sage advice.

Every one has a torn boot. Only ones that don't just fixed there's. But they will soon join the club. Don't worry about it. Move on.

I zipped tied mine to stay in place. No tear though.