My 80 240d manual wouldn't shift into reverse gear so I took apart the lever and it looks like this:

http://s163.photobucket.com/albums/t304/phae1017/?action=view&current=DSCF0067.jpg

Can anyone tell me if the denty hole on the side is normal? It doesn't look like it, though it appears to be quite a strange modification if it's not factory. It seems to be preventing the lever to engage the reverse linkage. I might be missing something with regards to the transmission if this denty hole is normal.

close up:

http://s163.photobucket.com/albums/t304/phae1017/?action=view&current=DSCF0069.jpg

Thanks