Hi everyone,

I've searched the archives but couldn't find anything applicable. My '89 300TE has slack in the shifter. When you move the shifter from P to any gear, there seems to be extra movement back and forth. The gear selector and the gear indicator are not in sync. If it's in neutral, the selector looks like it is in drive. Any ideas? This really has me worried.

Thanks,

Fatigued or missing selector rod bushings.

To whit:

There are two viton bushings in the shift linkage, one on the end of the shift lever and the other on the tranny lever. Both are probably gone (does the shifter rattle?)

You can reach both from underneath, or you can pull the shift rod off and remove the shift lever to get that one, it's sometimes easier.

The bushings are fairly stiff, and I've never gotten them in with a small pair of pliers, but it can be done -- what is the name of that tool with the slots so you can adjust the jaws??? (old age creeping up again, I think).

I remove the lever from the tranny, just take out the 10mm head bolt and slip the lever off. Switch actuator for the safety switch comes with. Shift rod has "lift and push off" clips on the ends, just unclip and pull out. Remember which hole it was in on the tranny lever.

I put the bushing in the hold and push it in using a socket or two and a vise. I'll be attempting the other bushing from under the car shortly, as both the TE and the 300D need them.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Thanks for the information. I am glad that this seems to be a relatively siple and inexpensive repair. I was really worried that it was somehting much bigger!

Thanks again!

Well, inexpensive maybe. If you do it yourself.

But not so easy.

__________________
2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

Half hour labor max at the shop, with a lift you can do this job while the customer waits. It's only a PITA when you have to lie on the floor under the car with no room.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!