Transmission Terminology
 

Hi:

A few years ago, I had my 380 SEL serviced and the shop did something to the gear shifter to make it more stiff. When I brought it in it felt like the shift was going to slip from one gear to another. (i.e. It felt like it didn't want to stay in R or N or D etc...)

The shop said they did something with a "kit". I really didn't understand or know what they did.

Can someone help explain to me what was wrong, what "kit" they must have put in, and if its an easy fix. I'd like to try and put this "kit" into the new 320.

Thanks,
Brad.

Brad, I suspect the shop replaced the bushings on the shifter linkage.

Most likely, there are two nylon bushings on the shift linkage.

When these fall out, the shifter will move back and forth without changing gear selection, i.e., "play".

Jim

Thanks. I've been researching, but can't find anything about the bushings.

All I've found was a reference about tightening the shift rod and this diagram.

Man that diagram is from a 203 chassis, this is what the bushings look like

@Gilly...thanks for the diagram.

Yes, I wanted to do the same thing on my 2003 C320 4Matic Wagon. The shifter is a little loose and I'd like to have it tighter.

Is there a bushings kit I can buy and install for the shift linkage? Is this a diyer job?

More than likely it's in the shifter itself on these newer cars.