The center square under manual shifter pops up and out of place sometimes when hard shifting, is the square that holds shifter's leather boot.
Have this happen to anyone?, and what is the best solution?, there is no broken parts that I can see, it just don't hold tight against surrounding pieces.

 

That might be a TSB, I remember the shifter problem on early 04's.

 

yea i have the same problem sometimes.. no fix as of yet.. sorry!

 

Yup same here.........some have that problem and some don't.

Let me guess.........the shifter hits the edge of the boot/ring when you shift hard into 4th?

 

exactly...

 

I've only lifted the shifter boot once - because you can!!!
I can't remember, are there adjustable stops on the throw of the lever?
If there are you could try adjusting those to save the trim ring - don't adjust them too much or your car will jump out of gear, or not engage at all.
If there are no adjustable stops then I have no ideas off the top of my head (apart from fabricating something) without looking at it in detail.