On my drive in to work today I was taking my normal backroad route and slowed down for a stop sign. I was in third gear and as I came to a stop I tried to put it in first. The stick bound in almost first gear and then I used more than necessary force and broke the shifter ring on the 1/2 lever. No big deal I can replace the ring. I havent looked yet as I limped in 3rd gear (R 3,4 shift just fine) late to work but I do remember there being a fair amount of interference from the sound deadening in the center tunnel with the shift leavers. I *HOPE* this is my issue, but I am a realist. Suggestions?

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1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

When you say shifter ring, do you mean the part in the shift assembly?

Was it the shift rods or levers that had interference?

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Peter
1985 300TD 4-speed 212K
1992 400E 343K
2001 E320 72K

Which ring do you mean, the clip that keeps the rod in the lever?

Might also look at your shifter bushings under the car where the shift lever connects to the linkages to the transmission. Had a problem where I couldn't shift gears and after replacing those rubber bushings, all was good again. Cheap and pretty easy fix too.

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Len
'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles

Its the loop on the shifter end.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Really, that must take some effort to break.

When you get under there, make sure none of the linkages are misadjusted. If it was partially in a different gear at the same time it would bind like that.

I had minor cracks on my rod ends (you call them rings) at the shifter, my welder suggested replacement and I did. They are cheap, $15 or so IIRC.

That does not explain the pressure you felt trying to shift, unless there is something bent or binding. Can you move the shift lever at the trans?

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Peter
1985 300TD 4-speed 212K
1992 400E 343K
2001 E320 72K

Be sure to check the fluid level in your brake fluid reservoir. If it has run low, the clutch may also be low and not releasing properly.

Not that what you are describing sounds like a clutch issue, but its easy to check.

Ken300D

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--------------------------
1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

It sounds to me like one of your shift linkages is fouling on the body work. In the stick conversion you had to shorten the linkage levers, right? I would look there for the source of the problem.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

1-2 rod slipped its clip at the tranny; dropped down and caught something.

Discovered when he goes to shift, rod stuck, won't move.

He has been shifting for a while now, with no symptoms of fouling the underbody. Those clips are tricky to lock, one may not have been. I used my old ones, just to get the car off the lift.

Assuming his tranny is okay internally.

Time to order some new clips.

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Peter
1985 300TD 4-speed 212K
1992 400E 343K
2001 E320 72K

Nope all OEM. I did have to reposition the levers as I used a transmission from a 200D. I am going to check them thoroughly this weekend.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

http://www.***************/search/imageexpand.aspx?imageurl=../secure/PartImages/1152600353.jpg
This is the part that I broke. Sadly I cannot find the shifter linkage I thought I had. Did. however, find the shifter itself.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

When you say reposition, what do you mean?

I think the shifter levers should be pointing straight down. Are yours?

__________________
Peter
1985 300TD 4-speed 212K
1992 400E 343K
2001 E320 72K

Up. 90% sure. IIRC I compared it to the euro 300D they were taken from.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

I think usually there are two levers facing up (or down) and one facing the other direction.

This might account for the broken part. I have never heard of one of those breaking before.

Tom W

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.