A while back I posted a thread about how to remove the shifter knob on my '92 300SE. Got a couple of replies from folks attempting to be helpful. Unfortunately, these replies didn't help me.

Finally found a reasonably priced Zebrano wood shifter on eBay and confirmed that it would fit a '92 W140. Figured the new part might give me a clue as to how to get the old part out.

The shaft is straight, with two nubs at 180 degrees from each other about 1 1/2'' up from the bottom. Removing it is easy as pie, assuming your car is brand new from the dealer and it's 1992. Fast forward to 2006, when years of grit, grime, the occasional spilled soda and neglect have gummed the original shifter into place. I did some cleaning with a toothbrush at the point where the chrome shaft enters the cast mechanism down below the shifter gate and found an internal snap ring.

A little fussing, a lot of cussing and I got the ring out. A little more wiggling and persuading and out popped the shifter. There's a stout spring under the shaft that pushes the nubs on the shaft up into a channel in a cap that's held in place by the snap ring. If everything is right, you don't need any tools to remove the shifter knob. Now, getting the spring, cap and snap ring back into place is another matter - definitely a 2-person job.

When everything is nice and clean, all you have to do to remove the shifter is bear down HARD and turn 45 degrees to the left. The shifter will then pull straight out of the housing - no tools required.

I found it's easiest to firmly grab the shifter just below the top with my right hand, and with my left, come down decisively on the top and hold. Turn to the left and viola!

I can't believe that this process isn't documented ANYWHERE in AllData.

Thanks to those that attempted assistance. It is always appreciated.

I heard it has to be in N or D when removing. Can you do it in any gear position?

Sixto
93 300SD

I can't see where it would matter, other than for the basic angle of the shifter and the fact that it's easier to work with it standing more-or-less straight up in N or D.

I reinstalled my knob last night after refitting the newly repaired 4/5 gate and the shifter was in Park when I did it. No issues at all.

This imaginary thing I read suggested that something blocks pressing down the lever except in a couple of positions. Maybe it was another car. Thanks for checking. I'll see if dropping a 3 lb mallet on the shift knob does anything

Sixto
93 300SD