How do you attach the tub and the boot?

By boot, are you referring to the centerpost seal? If so, squeeze and push through the outside of the bottom of the tub toward the inside. Then make sure all springs are good. If not they must be replace as a set (4)

It seems like the whole top of the drum came unattached as well do I have to to take the back off to get to the springs?

Ou have 3 suspension springs and 1 counterweight spring. If the tub seems to pull up check the drive block and spanner nut