Shift shaft bushing installer tool

[Chris W.]

Howdy,

I looked through the tool rental section and did not see that anyone had this gizmo to rent. This is the pliers-like tool to press the plastic bushing into the shift linkage for an auto tranny. Does anyone have one to rent?

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 357K with sloppy shifter

[connerm]

You can buy one for around $30 from an online outfit called: hands on tools.

[andrewjtx]

There is a setup of a bolt, nuts & washers that the owner of another site thought up.

PM me if you want the details. You can build it from Lowes/HD stock for a few bucks. Has served me very well.

[capflya]

I did mine without any special tools. I remember it not being the easiest thing ever but I got it on there and didn't damage the bushing. The tranny was not in the car at the time though so that may have helped me out haha.

[Biodiesel300TD]

I have had success putting the bushings in near boiling water and letting them heat up, then they are really soft and will go in fairly easy. You have to be quick though. A shot of silicone spray will help as well.

[Chris W.]

I have done one other 124 with an M119 engine by hand, and believe it or not there was more room in the trans tunnel than my E300D. I spent an hour trying to do it by hand in the diesel but failed miserably, so I thought I'd ask if anyone had the tool to rent.

IMHO there isn't room to use the hand made tool - I'm not even sure there is room to use the pliers type tool.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 357K

[hanno]

I've got the tool, was disappointed in that it doesn't (or I can't) work for the bushing on the transmuission. Needs to be angled and just a bit longer. Its back to teh bolt and washers method

[andrewjtx]

Ok, in the pics shown, the shift rod then the bushing should be put inline where I've left a gap in the setup.

The large nut needs to be larger than the bushing. The bolt needs to have ample room to run through the bushing.

[mechmagcn]

To take up the slack in the shifter until the ordered bushings arrived, I slipped a 3/4'' long piece of 5/16'' fuel hose in it's place about 5 years ago.....funny thing is, bushings are still in the glove box waiting for the fuel hose to wear out

[vstech]

... the little bolt holding on the shifter lever removed, the plate pops right out, and it's short work to press the bushing in with a vise or press... large channel locks and a pair of big sockets would work too...

[bmor_62]

Is there a how-to on this, or a thread with detailed instructions? I have a lot of play in my shifter.

[pawoSD]

I've done them on the car with a flat head screwdriver, or by removing the plate from the car and doing it with a vise. Not very hard....

[digieditny]

I did mine with a pair of vice grips. Took some time though!

[JamesDean]

I just did my 420SEL's both with the proper tool. I wish I'd taken pictures. It was easier than without the tool. I think the bolt method might be easier than the tool though. Allows for different angles of attack and easier application of force.

[Ether]

Originally Posted by bmor_62

Is there a how-to on this, or a thread with detailed instructions? I have a lot of play in my shifter.

Not really a full on how to, but it does give you a good idea of how the bushings go on. Of course he's trying to sell you a kit too.

Automatic Shift Lever Bushing Troubleshooting and Repair on Older Mercedes by Kent Bergsma - YouTube