I have a 1983 240d and it's difficult to shift from 2nd to 3rd and back from 3rd to 2nd. It goes into gear fine but actually moving the stick sideways/horizontal is difficult.

I just changed the transmission fluid thinking that would help but it didn't.

Has anyone experienced this? Are there bushing that need to be replaced or lubricated?

I'd greatly appreciate any help.

Thanks.

-pete

You might pull up the shifter boot and check to see nothing got down in the mechanism then check the rubber bushings on the shifter rods on the tranny also the plastic bushings on the shifter end of the rods. Did the problem start all of a sudden?

__________________


1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

Did you fill the transmission with ATF? That is the correct lube, NOT 90w gear lube, like most other manual transmissions in the world...

__________________
Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

Most likely it is a bushing/s. Remove the shifter plate and see if the end bushing is popped out. this is #23 in the exploded view.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/301562-fs-w123-manual-transmission-shifter-assembly-renew-kit.html

Here is a write up Roy did.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/general-information/335351-manual-transmission-shift-assembly-rebuild-video.html


Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Bushings first and also check to make sure the bolts fastening the shift rods are firmly secured at the transmission end. Mine were loose once.

__________________
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

Using the wrong (thick) fluid can cause difficult - stiff shifting.


.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/

Here are the common shifter parts that fail.















.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/

Hey, I was close. You are way ahead of me off me on repairs.

The few I have taken apart that had a problem, was the Hat bushing. End totally blew out. the flat piece was usually ok.

That flat piece you show is really worn bad. The bottom of the shifter is more or less exposed to the elements, so grit get in these over the years and grinds away.

But would be best to replace all the plastic pieces, wash all the old dirt and grease and re grease with new parts.

When I did my 4-spd swap, the Shifter was good, but stiff. took it apart and washed it and regreased. was really smooth after wards.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

If the side-to-side action is stiff and gummy, and there aren't any broken or severely worn parts, squirt some ATF on that sliding shaft-bushing area.
I did that on my Stick 240D and 5-speed 300TD, and both smoothed out.
After a few years I might need to repeat the treatment.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

Thanks for all the replies.
After removing the boot, cleaning it out and spraying some WD40, it works perfectly.
I will apply some silicone spray this weekend.

Thanks again.

Pete