when the bushing are worn/gone, the shifter puts the trans in park, but not far enough to lock the pawl. if you put it in park when the car is slightly moving, often it'll engage the pawl, even with worn bushings. just be sure it's engaged!

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1987 300TD
1987 300TD
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I guess i have some bushings to replace then!

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1978 300D

My 300SDL will roll a few inches when put in park. Is this also an indication of bad bushings?

Nope. That's normal. It can take a few inches before the pawl locks in place.

If it keeps rolling, well, then you've got something to worry about.

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Bouncing the car off the parking pawl will break things. Using park rather than a parking brake stresses the shifter when pulling the car out of park.

Here's Here's what a parking pawl setup looks like



It's not on a MB but very close, in fact here's a couple of parking pawl gears from a 722.4 and 722.3 transmission respectively from my project.

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Current Stable

• 380SL (diesel)
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I never put or leave pressure on the parking pawl. There is a possibility the trans case could develop a crack from repeated pressure. Also in the case of a 722.118 trans, there are plastic pieces that can crack.





I just so happen to have a 722.118 disassembled and I saw this post. Was going to take sohots, but decided to make a quick video.

One thing to note as I mentioned above, the plastic part that can possibly harden and fail is the yellowed/oranged colored piece that moves up and down in the video.


Mercedes 722.118 auto trans parking pawl - YouTube


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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

Definitely check them for any slop.

.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

What the hell is the point of having one plastic piece amongst all that metal?

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1978 300D

Its more likely nylon like a timing chain guide.....and if it has lasted 30+ years without failing, it has long outlived its intended design life....

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What brand of trans?