"Pops" out of gear

[CaptRet]

Re: 1981 380SL 120k

My shifter has recently started to "pop" out of drive ending up between the D and N gate. Upon reading most of the posts on similiar problems, the consensus on repair seems to be on replacing a bushing in the linkage.

Am I barking up the correct tree?? I could not find the same problem doing a search.

Thanks in advance!

[joe p]

Either that or a broken tranny mount.


Joe

[CaptRet]

Pretty sure tranny mount is OK, will get under it tomorrow and check out bushing.

Thanks for the info Joe!

[ejsharp]

It seems to me that worn bushings would have the opposite effect. Because of the excess play in the linkage caused by worn bushings, any undesired motion would be neutralized because of the play afforded by the worn or absent bushing and therefore not affect the shift handle.

I'd look toward the above transmission mount suggestion causing the motion while at the same time I'd replace the bushings if needed. Worn bushing will give you a misreading on the gearshift lever and keep the trans from engaging... rather than cause the car to pop out of gear.