[MD427]

For the record, I got it done by carefully slipping the edges of the boot around the T levers, one side at a time.

And for what it is worth, I looked at undoing the whole lever via the 2 bolts, but in my case the base of the shift lever looked to be about as large around as the stretch needed from the top, so in my case sliding over top was the path of least resistance.

Thanks for the helpful advice.