Shifter Bushing Tool Problems & Fix 1985 300D
 

I bought the KTC Auto Tools A1333 plier tool on ebay and shifter bushings from PeachParts (PN 115-992903010), as shown below. It is claimed to work on my car. It wasn't as easy as some youtube videos. I give a simple fix here.

At the front, I couldn't orient the tool until after I removed the neutral safety switch (2 bolts) and even then it was very tight. The bushing didn't sit tight on the tool's post and kept falling off. I even lost one (apparently fell in a cavity in car body). The bushing wouldn't press into the hole despite squeezing so hard I thought I would snap the pliers, wiggling, rotating, cussing, silicone grease, soaking in boiling water, or microwave. It got buggered up so much, I finally slit it as others have done and pressed it in with large pliers. I did move the shift lever on the tranny to drop it closer. I didn't see how to remove the shift lever from the tranny, as others have. I understand my 1985 CA tranny is the 1986+ PN, but I doubt that matters since the shifter appeared the same as other photos.

I should have started w/ the rear bushing (driver shifter), since it was much easier to access. I could then see the problem was that the bushing seat on the tool was too small, so the bushing would splay out around the seat when pressed. I found a washer that fit perfectly (in photo). It is marked "MCX" and thicker than normal, so probably a "spacer" from the drawers at Ace Hardware (0.875"OD x 0.375" ID x 0.105"th). With the washer as backer, and a little wiggling, the bushing popped in fairly easily.

I only bought the tool because I thought I might be changing these in a parking lot at my son's university. He was very alarmed because he heard rattles and couldn't get it in park. After I told him to use the parking brake (always) and start it in neutral, that let him drive around until he was able to bring the car home. Anyway, it turns out that without the tool, it would have been very hard without slitting the bushings. Perhaps very long needle nose pliers and a spacer would work. I suggest washing the area around the tranny shifter first since I got pretty gunky working in that tight area.

The other issue is removing the metal clips off the rod. MS sells a tool, but I just shoved a long, thin screwdriver into the rear of the U, which opened the clip enough to slide it off the rod. Ditto for re-installing the clip.

I think thes pics are from one of our Members or over on Benzworld.

I did not save the thread but this is what the Member used to do the Job.

I have also not done that Job Myself so I cannot comment on how well it would work.

See if the one you used looks like the one sold by Pelican. If not there could be a reason the more expensive Pelican BM-7200 is made that way.
Pelican apppears to sell a lot of Baum Tools in their special Tools I am not sure if that is one or not.

Pelican Parts - European Automotive Parts and Accessories - Porsche • BMW • Mercedes • Volkswagen • Audi • Saab • Volvo • MINI

The KTC Jaws are longer on the Bushing end that would mean it would take more force to squeez it. But, that has nothing to do with having enough Room.

May I was a rare case, but when I did my bushings....all I need was a pair of pillars...went in simple....I removed the shifter from up top...which made getting to the bushing under it...a breeze..

The bolt and nuts method would work fine if you can remove the shift lever from the tranny. Many have done so. If someone takes photos and details how to do so, that would help. I briefly looked, but didn't see how. There may be just enough room to get the bolts & nuts up to the bottom of the shifter (rear bushing, I think impossible at front bushing). If not, you would have to unbolt it from the car, which you must do anyway if changing its slide bushings.

I can't really tell a difference between my KTC tool and the one on PeachParts. Might be from the same factory. I paid a bit less. Mine does seem to work fine after I added the washer backer. I watched the MS youtube video again, and noticed that his bushing also sits very loose on the post of the tool. Ken says to use silicone grease to hold it on. The car he is working on has more space. I think he dropped the transmission down a bit.

Which Transmission were you working on; th 1978 300D or the 1982 300D?

:D

On my 83 300SD, I didn't even need pliers. I just heated the nylon bushing in water on the stovetop until it was pliable, and I just popped it in place.

The 78....on the euro, I just replaced the missing bushings with pieces of rubber hose :D