w124 tranny...3/4 - 1 inch of play in the shifter between 3rd and 4th gear, normaL?
 

hey everyone, i am noticing that my shifter for my 1992 300CE w124, gives about an inch before dropping into 3rd...and it really easy to move it back and forth an inch while in 4th gear...

is this normal??????

also when i'm starting from first, when i shift up i can hear an additional clicking noise....
i'm wondering if something's loose in the shifter, just under the rubber boot...
is this an easy adjustment fix?

please don't tell me i may need tranny work....

i have noticed that my car is a little less punchy off the line too...but i'm wondering if that's because i upgraded from stock 15's to 17X8's....
help!!!!
ugh

HELP ME
OH FORUM OF BENZO KNOWLEDGE!!!!

Sloppy shifter
 

Check the bushings at both ends of the shift linkage rod for wear. You can also disconnect the rod at the transmission end and manually move the shift lever to check for freeplay if the bushings are ok. I've replaced a lot of bushings but I'm wondering why the problem only occurs between 3-4. If the bushings are worn( or even missing ) they can be replaced easily. It can be a bit of a bear to install the one at the shifter due to the confined work space, but the lever on the side of the transmission can be easily removed and the bushing replaced at the workbench. Let me know how it goes.

hey iluvmils,

actually if i'm right, it has the loose play feeling through all the gears, it's just 4 & 3 have more play room...

i do notice that when i shift from 1 up thru the gears there's like a rattling noise coming from the shifter (metal click), whereas before i used to be able to shift through the gears tightly....

also on my sluggish off the line performance question...
do you think it's related to my bigger wider tires?

thanks for the response...
hey got any links for a DIY thread or page..?

What are you running now as opposed to stock?

If your wheels are wider AND of a larger diameter, they probably weigh more as well (known as rolling weight). But that shouldn't be enough to reduce performance noticeably...unless you are rollin' on 22"s...;)

I just had my shift bushings replaced. Play between 3 and 4 (D) was more loose than the rest, just as you described. I just had mine done, and boy is it nice! The part is just pennies, and labor can't be more than 1/2 hr, AT MOST!

GOOD LUCK!

i'm running 17x8
from stocks...

255/45/17 i think...

hmmm
i wonder what it could be

would it be related to this bushing problem?

i read a couple of threads on here about bushing probs, but none with performance issues...
ugh

hey david where did you go to get your work done?

how much did it cost you?

maybe i should go there...
my guy wants to charge me 60.00 total parts/labor, but the parts are like 1.50 from what i understand...

Not sure what you mean... BUT...

I had my SHIFT LINKAGE BUSHINGS replaced, and that solved my loose shifter problem....

?:o

David...

I am having the EXACT same problem as mushedroom. Shifter feels loose and there is a noise coming from under the shift gate when you bring it back and forth that sounds like a linkage is flopping around down there. Did you have the noise problem too and did the new bushings fix that?

THanks...Peter

Shifter
 

Hi Mushedroom The metallic noise you're hearing indicates that the bushing is probably missing. As far as a DIY thread goes, all you need to do is look at the shift rod to see which one is gone. It's easily visible on the drivers side of the transmission. If you can SAFELY raise the car and crawl underneath, you'll find the shift rod attached to the shifter by a simple spring clip. Simply remove the clip and install a new bushing into the shifter. The only tools needed are a pair of needlenose pliers( to remove the clip ) and whatever it takes to coax the new bushing into place. Don't use any lubricant on the bushing as it will only make it harder to get a grip on. Instead, try leaving the bushing in a cup of hot( not boiling ) water for a few minutes prior to installation. This will make the bushing more pliable and easier to fit into the hole. A simple look underneath and you'll see what I mean. Good luck!

PBalias....

That's it! The shift bushings... EASY FIX!!

Re: Shifter
 

HEY ILUVMILS,

THANKS FOR THE INFO...
i have read other threads that say that one of the two bushings is very very hard to install...
any info on the "difficult" bushing to install?

The difficult one is the bushing at the shifter. Tough due to the close confines within the tunnel, the tranny end is a piece of cake.

Ok, so I'm replacing my front disk and start looking around for my shifter bushings (I know they're bad and actually even have the parts). All I see is the rod with the spring clip -- no bushings at all. I look all the way up to were the rod goes to the shifter -- don't see any there. I look toward the tranny, where the rod goes, and don't see any there.

WHERE are these things? Or...are mine all totally gone, and that's why I don't see them.

Also, there are evidently 2 sets of bushings. Someone please distinguish them by name and location.

Thanks,