There are several threads discussing the plastic shifter bushings, failure and rebuild, for manual transmissions. I have an automatic trans that is having shifter problems; not engaging the selected gear without some stirring around the general location of the desired gear.

Is the rebuild/fix similar to the manual trans?

If you're talking about a 722, it is straight forward process. The 3 upper bushings are easy enough to replace from above. Youtube vids are available. I bought OE bushings because they are inexpensive and I didn't want to take a chance on aftermarket. This site has them as cheap as any.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

The bushings that normally take a dump on you are underneath the car. There's one on each end of the linkage that goes from the shifter lever to the control lever on the transmission. They're not difficult to replace and are cheap. My SDL had a very sloppy shifter and made a distinct "clink" noise every time you changed gear. Both bushings were completely gone. Replacing just those two made the shifter tight as new and no more noise.

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Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

OP didn't say Wharton car or trans he has but 3 out of 4 bushings on an 84SD with a 722.303 can be changed from the cabin. I'll do the 4th when the weather warms up and is dry.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Yes, always describe your car when asking such.

Search more. I know I posted w/ photos on changing the 2 lower bushings in my 1984 300D automatic, and there were many prior posts I used.

I bought the special pliers install tool, but had to mod it. Others here used a "bolt and washers" trick. There isn't must room for hands and you will get grubby. If a later car (1986+ ?) or smaller (forget), pretty much no room for hands. Kent of MS has a youtube showing lowering the engine a bit to gain room. If desperate, you can always spiral cut the new bushing and roll it into the hole.

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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans

I also bought the tool from Kent. I could have done it without the tool, but it makes it a fifteen minute job. My time is worth something.

Its an 79 240d.

Do either of you guys want to rent out the special tool?

Does anybody have an exploded parts diagram of the shifter assembly? FSM doesnt and I found a rough one on ebay but cant copy/save/print it.