So my shifter just broke in half - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JordaanDMC-12 · #1 04-26-2009, 04:08 AM

I'm both in shock and depressed this just happened. After a very chill night with some buddies of mine, we were on our way back from cruising around when I shifted into 2nd gear and "SNAP" the metal shaft on the shifter snapped at the rim of the actual gear selector.

It's drivable as I can move it through all 4 gears with my fingers, except reverse. How do I fix this? Can I just have the mechanic weld it back? I really want to keep this shifter, it's the original and I love it. Ugh, so bummed about this......

Mark DiSilvestro · #2 04-26-2009, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JordaanDMC-12

I'm both in shock and depressed this just happened. After a very chill night with some buddies of mine, we were on our way back from cruising around when I shifted into 2nd gear and "SNAP" the metal shaft on the shifter snapped at the rim of the actual gear selector.

It's drivable as I can move it through all 4 gears with my fingers, except reverse. How do I fix this? Can I just have the mechanic weld it back? I really want to keep this shifter, it's the original and I love it. Ugh, so bummed about this......

Had this happen to a customer's 220D at the shop I worked in many years ago. Of course it happened when I was bringing the car in the bay so it was "my fault"! I could see where a fatigue-crack had been working through the lever for awhile, as there was very little 'fresh steel' visible in the break when it finally let go. Another mechanic there, who was a better welder, was able to weld it back together.

Happy Motoring, Mark

JordaanDMC-12 · #3 04-26-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

Had this happen to a customer's 220D at the shop I worked in many years ago. Of course it happened when I was bringing the car in the bay so it was "my fault"! I could see where a fatigue-crack had been working through the lever for awhile, as there was very little 'fresh steel' visible in the break when it finally let go. Another mechanic there, who was a better welder, was able to weld it back together.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Man that would suck bringing it in the bay and it breaks. Exact same thing happened here, the steel does not look fresh at all. It just really sucks this happened casue i'm off today and could of taken a little drive.

Now to see who can weld it, I know I should have taken medal shop in high school! lol

JordaanDMC-12 · #4 04-26-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

Had this happen to a customer's 220D at the shop I worked in many years ago. Of course it happened when I was bringing the car in the bay so it was "my fault"! I could see where a fatigue-crack had been working through the lever for awhile, as there was very little 'fresh steel' visible in the break when it finally let go. Another mechanic there, who was a better welder, was able to weld it back together.

Happy Motoring, Mark

I'm going to take it in to the mechanic, but I was wondering how much would that cost to weld back together, do you know? I can't imagine it being that expensive, more than 50$? But i'm just guessing...

JEBalles · #5 04-26-2009, 05:08 PM

I don't think taking it to a mechanic is really necessary, they'd probably just send for a new shifter and charge you $10,000. Go to the yellow pages and find a custom welder and give them a call. They will be much more reasonably priced, you'll just have to remove the shifter yourself.

JordaanDMC-12 · #6 04-26-2009, 05:25 PM

alright cool, i'll do that then, how do I go about taking the shifter out? Can anyone help me out with that?
Thanks!!!!

Gene Horr · #7 04-26-2009, 05:32 PM

Hopefully your welder will know better but do not weld it in place and remove all non-metal parts. Otherwise if you are lucky things will only melt rather than catching on fire.

You'll get hit with whatever is their minimum charge - US$50 - $100 depending on your area. Though if you catch him/her at the end of the day on Friday a cold couple of six-packs can sometimes suffice....

If they suggest brazing rather than welding I personally would do it. There isn't _that_ much force put on the shifter.

JordaanDMC-12 · #8 04-26-2009, 05:53 PM

Awesome, yeah I wouldn't have him weld it in the car. Ouch lol was wondering though, how do I take the shifter out? That way I can just have them do it there. Is there a special trick?

charmalu · #9 04-26-2009, 10:16 PM

Iam not familiar with the w115, but was wondering if the w123 shifter is the same? if so, pull one at a Junk yard. finding one for a 220 might be like the needle in the hay stack.

Charlie

Lycoming-8 · #10 04-26-2009, 11:10 PM

The 220D shifter is a very thin and slightly tapered chromed metal shaft with a black plastic ball on the top. I always marveled at the ability of that skinny shaft to stand up to repeated shifting over the 20 years I drove ours, but never had a problem. The use of ATF in the trannie certainly helps to reduce the effort to shift gears, except for the move to reverse.

Mark DiSilvestro · #11 04-26-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lycoming-8

The 220D shifter is a very thin and slightly tapered chromed metal shaft with a black plastic ball on the top. I always marveled at the ability of that skinny shaft to stand up to repeated shifting over the 20 years I drove ours, but never had a problem. The use of ATF in the trannie certainly helps to reduce the effort to shift gears, except for the move to reverse.

Yeah, it was while trying to reverse that the shifter on that 220D broke!

Happy Motoring, Mark

JordaanDMC-12 · #12 04-27-2009, 09:38 PM

Well went to the mechanic who said he could not weld it, but did end up getting the part out. He pointed us in the direction of a body shop right across from him. As I walk up, there is a late 90's SEL I think that was getting Gullwing's put on it, and I mean full DeLorean status gullwings!

We asked him if he could do the job and he said yeah and when asked for how much he said 10$. We came back a couple hours later, it was welded very nicely and he brazed it also. We went back to the mechanic who put it in, and now I have a working gearshift. Thankfully this wasn't that painful and all is well now!

Thanks everyone for the info/advice!!!!

Skippy · #13 04-27-2009, 11:09 PM

Ten bucks for a weld job-you just scored!

Simpler=Better · #14 04-27-2009, 11:10 PM

FYI it's either brazed or welded. Brazing is with brass filler rod, welding is with steel filler.
Either way, $10 is a steal and will be plenty strong!

JordaanDMC-12 · #15 04-28-2009, 12:08 AM

yeah, I was very grateful for the price he gave us and the job he did was great!