'72 280SE 4.5 Column Shifter Lost a Battle with the Emissions Guy

[rkroel]

So I took my lovely new 280SE 4.5 to be emissions tested. The guy got in and did the test, which it passed with flying colors. When I got back in to drive off the column shifter was useless. It will move around (too easily) but you can't feel the linkage anymore. The bozo was either too rough with it, or it just happened to fall apart on the guy.

The best part is that both of the techs lied to their boss and told him I had said it was already "loose". Their manager then accused me of lying. After a very restrained (on my part) discussion, the manager called his boss and asked me to fill out an investigation form. I guess they will look at the tapes and listen to the audio and decide if their tech broke it.

On to more important things: I found part of a small oily bushing on the ground under the car. It is mustard yellow in color. Did this come from my car?

I need to get under the car and check the linkage, any suggestions where to start?

Thanks again,
Ryan

[Tomguy]

Sounds like you found a linkage bushing under your car. You MAY be able to pop it back in, or you may need to buy a new one, they wear with age.

[JMela]

I bet when you get under the car, it'll be clear what occurred.

The connection bween shifter and trans is made with rods which have nylon bushings at their ends. Get a few (they are inexpensive) and replace them all - it's not too troublesome a job and you'll notice a sharpness to your shifts that wasn't there before. Like Tom said, these wear out and disintegrate over time.

[rkroel]

It was only a small part of a bushing that I found.

I'm looking at the Mercedes model 108 Body and Spare Parts List trying to decipher what I might need. I've found four different diagrams of column shift levers. Two seem to be for automatic transmissions. I had the car towed to a nearby relative's house so I can't go out and look to see if I have a bent shift arm or a straight one. Any suggestions for deciphering this?

I found:
http://www.**********.com/search/product.aspx?sid=u2pkyx55dfllof55lw3u1sqx&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1193464@280SEL&year=1972&cid=33@Transmission/Transaxle%20System&gid=7766@Shift%20Lever%20Bushing

Fill in ******** az, sans space, into the *'s.

Which is labeled "dto", #196 on table 9, group 27 which is attached to the "shifting rod" via a clip that ******** also carries.

Thanks for your help.
Ryan

Edit: What's the deal with the link censorship?

[rkroel]

Also found:
http://catalog.peachparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=1972-Mercedes--Benz---80se-Transmission&yearid=1972%40%401972&makeid=63%40%40MERCEDES+BENZ%40%40X&modelid=16102%3AMBC|10000009%3AED|10000064%3AEB|1596%40%40280SE&catid=241185%40%40Transmission&subcatid=241263@@Shift+Lever+Bushing&mode=PA

But can't line up that part number with my parts list.

[280EZRider]

Originally Posted by rkroel

So I took my lovely new 280SE 4.5 to be emissions tested. The guy got in and did the test, which it passed with flying colors. When I got back in to drive off the column shifter was useless. It will move around (too easily) but you can't feel the linkage anymore. The bozo was either too rough with it, or it just happened to fall apart on the guy.

The best part is that both of the techs lied to their boss and told him I had said it was already "loose". Their manager then accused me of lying. After a very restrained (on my part) discussion, the manager called his boss and asked me to fill out an investigation form. I guess they will look at the tapes and listen to the audio and decide if their tech broke it.

On to more important things: I found part of a small oily bushing on the ground under the car. It is mustard yellow in color. Did this come from my car?

I need to get under the car and check the linkage, any suggestions where to start?

Thanks again,
Ryan

My question is: Where do you live that requires an emissions test for a '72 car? Even sunny, bloody expensive, overcrowded California let's you off the hook at model 1975 .

[rkroel]

Sunny, bloody hot Phoenix. They require emissions from '66 on I believe.

The emissions tests was about 20 seconds at 32-35 MPH. If I remember correctly they are checking for HC, NOX, and opacity. My loaded scores were 1/4 or lower of the standard.

[hookedon210s]

You need two bushings, (1) 0009913822 and (1) 1159920310.


0009913822 is what is preventing you from shifting---when the other bushing is bad it just creates play in the shifter and may not permit the transmission to fully engage park or 1st gear. Mark

[rkroel]

Cool, thanks!

I see part number 0009910922 in the parts list, I guess 0009913822 superseded it?

[hookedon210s]

I can't tell from EPC but the number I provided applies to your vehicle if the final numbers of your VIN is 027623 or higher. Mark

[rkroel]

Hrm. The last six digits of my vin are 016225.

I just googled the EPC. Cool! Toyota's online parts thing is much more expensive. Time to do some research.

I'll be looking under the car tonight.

Thanks for the information

[hookedon210s]

EPC is free for US vehicles and only $12 per year for all market vehicles. Moderators like SBFlorida lobbied hard for access to info like this and the per diem charge for access to WIS. I would call your MB dealer with your VIN to check which part applies to your vehicle. When I searched the part number you gave me there is no application for the 4.5. Have fun with EPC. Mark

[rkroel]

Yep, signed up for the free version.

I see the same part numbers, and footnote as you do in the EPC. I'm not finding anything else. I see a different column shifter illustrated on image 13 of the automatic tranny section, but the bushings and whatnot come back with the message "item no. not valid for this mode des.".

I left a message at the Mercedes dealer with my vin and the part numbers I wanted and he called me back with prices and availability.


We'll see what my car actually has.

[Tomguy]

Originally Posted by rkroel

Edit: What's the deal with the link censorship?

The forum automatically filters links out that go to other parts sources, since this forum is funded primarily through selling MB parts! Plus MB shop is typically cheaper than that other place in AZ

[rkroel]

I see. Just thought it was odd.