I was able to get this job done, still working on getting pictures. But wanted to mention that I had trouble with the spring load washers as well, particularly getting everything aligned so I could push the rod through. Eventually I noticed how the trapezoidal bushing insert was tapered. The way I got it to work was to insert everything except the bushing insert, push the rod through, then pull the rod, carefully insert the bushing insert, and then push the rod through. It worked very nicely for me. Hope this helps anyone else that might struggle with that step in the future.

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1983 240D Manual Transmission
123.123 - 616.912