park= reverse
 

My gear shift selector has always felt sloppy. It recently started to go into reverse when I put it unto park. I have to put it into L to get it into drive and have to do that a few times to get it into drive (it wants to stay in reverse).

Fortunately the NSS does not know it's in reverse or drive and I can start the engine in reverse or drive.

What am I up against? Linkag adjustment (if there is one)? worn bushings? Where should I start tearing into? From the console shifter, or from the bottom?.

looks like your linkages are out of adjustment. I had this sort of happen when I pulled apart the valve body in the cabriolet.Didn't put the shift rod in correctly and I had an issue like yours

I would say a combination of your linkages being out of adjustment and worn shifter bushings.

Sounds like worn shift linkage bushings. For some reason, Fastlane didn't list them for the '83 300D. However, here is what they look like on the '84 300SD: http://catalog.peachparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=1984-Mercedes--Benz-300sd-Transmission&yearid=1984%40%401984&makeid=63%40%40MERCEDES+BENZ%40%40X&modelid=6208%3AED%7C10000134% 3AMBC%7C1510%40%40300SD&catid=241185%40%40Transmission&subcatid=241303@@AT+Shift+Linkage+Bushing&mod e=PD You may need to call Phil and see if they are the same.

I've been leaving it in drive (no reverse or any other gear). The shifter has no resistance at all. I took a look underneath where the lever attaches to the transmission on driver's side and took pic below. The lever is loose relative to the shifter shaft on the transmission! Is there a part missing? Does anyone have the part? How about a link to an exploded view? Hard to see what's up in there, it's pretty tight access.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...062511_004.jpg

Cleaned it off with brake clean and took more pics

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...062511_005.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...062511_007.jpg

Your missing the bolt and nut that holds the linkage to the tranny

Its m6 by about 30. Washer on both sides so it doesnt fall in slot.

I haven't taken a closer look at it yet. Is the shift rod on the transmission splined? Keyed? Is there a retainer grove in the rod to lock the bolt in? Is the OEM nut a nyloc type?

I suppose this is the handi work of the shop that rebuilt the transmission (before I bought it). Shortly after I bought it I got stranded (due to a loose ground strap). It had only one starter mounting bolt, 2 engine to transmission bolts, one was bent and the other one was loose!:eek:

Found a bolt long enough. Had to mess with the gear selector to line up the lever and the transmission shift rod, which are both keyed. I have P, R,N,R,D again and it's associated detents. The only detent I can't get it to stay in is L. What do I have to do to adjust it?