I have two 300Ds (W123) and both of them suffer from the same ailment. The shift lever is very loose when down in the D, S, and L positions and makes it hard to manually shift back up to S and D. Often if I'm flogging them around a turn in L, I'll have to shift all the way to D to get back to the S position. I was searching for shifter bushings on the parts link (see photos) and am confused as to what and how many parts are needed to competely renew.

I've done a few searches and can't find much information or photos about complete R/R of the shifter bushings on the forum. The W123 CD is of no help either. Can this all be done from inside the car? Do I have to lower the tranny?

Thanks,

Attached Thumbnails

       

__________________
Dave

2002 Audi S6 Avant
1983 300D
1984 300D (sold)
1990 560SEL (sold)

You should be able to just replace the plastic bushings. It's pretty easy. The hardest part is getting the bushings into the hole.

I had to do it on the side of the road when my flexdisk broke a few years ago.

I was just searching this last night. Couldn't find the thread I was looking for from earlier this year or last........

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Your photos are confusing... take a look at this link:
http://www.performanceproducts4benz.com/Drawings.aspx?bmid=134... after the parts finish moving [this is literally an exploding-parts diagram] you will see the "bushing" shown as #(7) and this you will have to change from underneath the car [ only ~$1 each]!
If your's is like our 1980 300D, you probably also have a loose pivot point that does not have a bushing and this you might be able to get at and remove by first removing the console and after it is out and you are inovative "peening" it with a ball-peen hammer on an anvil or other heavy steel surface. You should be able to see this when you go under to inspect for both loose plastic bushing joint(s) as well as other joints. Wiggle all the linkages and joints all about. 1 or more has bushing(s) and then there is 1 or more that don't... check them all.
Sam

If you want the bushings, how-to, and special "tool" to install them: www.**************.com type in "auto transmission shift bushing kit"

(The tool is a bolt with nut, 2-fender washers and large nut for pressing.)

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

I was able to find all the bushings, but they were all good. It turns out that it was just a loose connection on the transmission selector input shaft. Just tightened the nut/bolt on the lever and feels great now! Thanks for the help. My other 300D may need more than a tightening...

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Dave

2002 Audi S6 Avant
1983 300D
1984 300D (sold)
1990 560SEL (sold)

I have decided that replacing the shifter bushings is not possible!
The wagon is up on ramps. I lost the snap on end piece almost immediately. I popped it off, and it never made it down to the ground. Can't find it anywhere.
I am using the bolt, washers and socket method. You simply cannot get into the small tunnel opening where you have to do the work. AGGHHHHHH!!!
I have dropped the bolts and wrenches on my face at least 10 times. And where did these mosquitoes come from???
Heading back outside to clean up as it is dark. Wagon will remain on ramps as the linkage is not connected.
What a failure.........

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Questions about Parts?
(NOT for technical support)

Call Phil for help at
1-888-333-4642
Mon-Fri 9:00a-6:00p ET

Call Roy for help at
1-800-970-7027
Mon-Fri Noon-9:00p ET

__________________
Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

I made the same conclusion for the SD. But, the alternative was to remove the shifter. I really don't want to go through the nightmare of that operation with the rear vent ducts in place.

However, the benefit is that you can replace the bushing in 5 minutes on your kitchen table.

This will be a slight consolation for the two hours spent to remove and reinstall the shifter.

Is this transmission selector input shaft accessible from inside the car?

__________________

1998 E300D, 287k, barely broken in.

In a word: No. You have to get under the car.

__________________
1984 300TD

Replacing all shifter bushings on W126 - p.1

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

(\__/)
(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination

I took the arm off of the shaft coming out of the transmission. 10 minutes later, I had the bushing back in and then reinstalled it. Piece of cake. Was there a reason for not removing the arm?

__________________
1984 300TD

Yes, the fear of the unknown........

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John