93 merc 190e shifter noise - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

drolyat · #1 02-06-2003, 07:02 PM

I think I know the answer but here goes...... I get a shifter noise like a rattling when I go around corners and now sometimes even going straight. If I put my hand on the shifter and pull to the side the noise quits. Is this the bushing in the shifter going bad? If so, how do you change them? Thanks in advance!

J.HIDALGO · #2 02-06-2003, 08:02 PM

They can be changed from the bottom of the car. They are about a buck a piece. You can DIY. You just need to go under the car. Do a search!

Good luck!

mbdad · #3 02-06-2003, 08:11 PM

I have the same problem - just started a couple of weeks ago.
My shifter rattles when I step on the brakes.
Shaft vibrates from resting against the shift housing - not loud but just enough to be annoying.

Meza · #4 02-06-2003, 10:48 PM

I have the same problem too. I looked at the shift mechanism under the car. A round rubber/plastic piece is missing where the linkages join. I haven't fixed it yet, but I will soon.

haasman · #5 02-07-2003, 12:10 AM

I have done these bushings before. I believe the one by the trans is very hard to get to because of limited space.

If I recall correctly, using a long knife (after removing the retaining clip) I cut off/out the old one. Installing the new one calls on one's patience and creativity. The bushing must be inserted/pressed into the shift arm on the side of the transmission. If there were not 2" to work with, it would be easy. Many people lube the bushing first and leverage against something to try pushing it into its hole. Sometimes this works, sometimes not.

I finally cut (yes I know) the bushing once, so that the pieces overlap each other and it then can be mashed/push into the trans lever. I then expanded it. Once done I got the pin and jammed it in. Replaced the clip. I rather not tell you how long it took me to do this.

So far so good: No rattles, works well and feels solid.

Haasman

drolyat · #6 02-07-2003, 01:58 PM

Thanks for your help!

mbdad · #7 02-07-2003, 07:21 PM

After doing a search on the subject, I have come up with two areas to look at; the Shift Rod Bushings or the Shifter Bushings.

I'll check under the car tommorrow to see if I am missing the rubber part mentioned by Meza.

Thank you Haasman for your post - it sounds like this fix is for the Shifter Bushings. Am I correct? Is this fix from under the car?
Bach in March - Mike Tangas posted a fix for the Shift Rod Bushings on a W126 - would this be similar to the W201?
He covers the fix from inside or under the car.

Meza,
I see that you are also from SC - are you on the coast or inland?

I hope to have this shifter problem resolved soon.

Good Luck all!
John

haasman · #8 02-07-2003, 08:49 PM

mbdad

Yes, the plastic bushing. Think of a rod about a foot long that has a finger at each end. This finger fits into the tansmission lever. This rod moves back and forth pulling the lever for a gear selection. Where the finger inserts into the lever, it is isolated and secured by a plastic bushing that goes over the finger but is inserted into the lever. It fits snuggly and is held in place by a clip.

The repair is from under the car. There is one rod from the shifter on the bottom of the car to the trans lever. The major pain is at the connection on the trans because of limited space.

Yes, that post is simliar. It gives a good overview.

I recall that if you have plenty of elbow room it definitely helps. This repair is not hard, it just requires one to be clever.

Let us know how it goes.

Haasman

mbdad · #9 02-07-2003, 10:11 PM

Thank you Haasman-

Great description of what I need to look for.
I appreciate the help.
Heading out to Fort Worth TX on business, so I'm not sure
when I will be able to pick up the bushing.

I'll check under the car this weekend
to get a good idea of what I'm in for.

John

mbdad · #10 02-08-2003, 04:27 PM

After taking a look under the car and not having much luck, I decided to take a look at the shifter itself.
There was definetely some play there, so I removed the pin holding the bushings.
Since I did not have the the plastic bushings and wanted to see if indeed this was the culprit, I created my own using a vacuum hose the same size. I cut the hose a shy longer than the plastic bushing, put everything back together and no play at all!

I will pick up the correct bushings when I get back in town and will re-do the job correctly.

If you do this yourself, be careful of the snap clip that goes on the pin, mine went flying trying to remove it.

haasman · #11 02-08-2003, 05:07 PM

mbdad

Great repair. Did you do this from above or under the car?

Haasman

mbdad · #12 02-08-2003, 05:25 PM

Haasman

The repair was done from inside the car.