I need to replace the transmission selector bushings, 115 267 12 50, on my 1981 300SD (126). Will I be able to do this by only removing the wood trim plate around the transmission selector? Or will I have to remove the entire console assembly? Any hints or suggestions?

Thanks

__________________
Tom Evans
69 280SE 91K (wish I still had it)
73 220D 98K
78 300D 134K
78 300D 185K
81 300SD 301K (still have)
82 300SD 321K (still have)
84 300D 268K
84 6.2 Diesel GMC Suburban 225K (a whole different story!)

I thought this was done from under the car.

A quick search revealed this:

Replacing all shifter bushings on W126 - p.1

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

Check out this DIY thread.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td/1417360-diy-console-shifter-bushing-replacement.html

There are four bushings in the path between the shifting knob and the transmission. Two on the shifter and two on the linkage. Three are accessible from the inside and one from under the car.

If I remeber when I did mine there are only 2. And I removed the lever from the side of the trans, and then Lowered the rear of the trans to allow access to the shifter one. Remember which hole on the bracket at the trans that the shift rod is in.
Someone suggested using hot water to help soften them. That did help a lot.
Sure shifts solid now. But need to adjust things, because the slop is gone, and I was out of time.

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83 300SD Dark Silver Dark brown inside

Shifter bushings and linkage bushings are not the same thing.

Thanks for all the information. The repair guide was a big help. Even though I have a 126, the information about the 123 should be close enough to get me through the job. The parts are on order!

__________________
Tom Evans
69 280SE 91K (wish I still had it)
73 220D 98K
78 300D 134K
78 300D 185K
81 300SD 301K (still have)
82 300SD 321K (still have)
84 300D 268K
84 6.2 Diesel GMC Suburban 225K (a whole different story!)

Boy, was I wrong! There are significant differences between the 123 and 126 series. The 126 has the duct work for the rear passenger A/C ducts running directly over the bolts you need to remove in order to get to the shifter mechanism. I had to remove the center console (including radio, climate control and all the rocker switches) to remove this ductwork. Now, the work proceeded the same for both 123 and 126.

The pictures that you provided were very helpful and I completed the job quickly until I discovered that the spring had one side broken. Since it's quite an effort to get access to this assembly, I'll leave the car down until I get a replacement spring.

__________________
Tom Evans
69 280SE 91K (wish I still had it)
73 220D 98K
78 300D 134K
78 300D 185K
81 300SD 301K (still have)
82 300SD 321K (still have)
84 300D 268K
84 6.2 Diesel GMC Suburban 225K (a whole different story!)