Replacing shift linkage bushings as per posted instructions, but have hit major snag.

The shift lever on the transmission does not come off. It has no bolt or capture mechanism from the outside to release it from transmission, and thus can not put bushing in at the bench. Looks as if it is secured from inside the transmission.

As this will not come off, having an extremely hard time getting bushing into the hole on the lever.

Any suggestions: drop pan and remove from inside to free lever from trans? I have the bushing pliers but can not get them to work with limited space to work from.

Stuck at the bushing on the transmission lever. Any tips or tricks?

Thanks

Marty

You can try putting the new bushing in boiling water to make it more pliable, and then installing by hand. I also thought I had seen a 2 piece bushing available for applications like this.
Gilly

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you can reach it from above going from behind if you drop the mounting bar of the transmission, you can then use the pliers tool.

In one case I just cut the bushing at an angle, pushed one side in the hole and worked the bushing into the hole - works perfectly. To put the clip back on I just wedge a screwdriver into a clip hang it on the rod - then clip it on.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

Thanks everyone.

I did succeed in getting bush on, Si spray, massage, modify the bushing pliers with a backing washer on the post to prevent it plier post from mushrooming into the bushing. With the broader contact from the washer on the bushing, it popped in with the pliers after several attempts. Truly a pain in the rear end, but I guess it lasted over 230 K.

Probably chasing the bushing down the driveway after every failed attempt, or miscue, made it a more challenging task.

I take it that the transmission lever does not come off? If it did, it would have been a simple job. Was this a late change on the W124 transmission?

Thanks again.

Marty

the late W124 trans has the NSS over the shift lever. I never could see or feel any bolt - so I simply cut the bushing and worked it into the hole.

Simple 10 minute job and the cut does not compromise the bushing. In one case I used a ford tool and reached from the tail end - one squeeze and the bushing pops in.

__________________
2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

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