W108 Auto Floor shift

[n10]

I have only had my w108 for about 4 months now and rarely drive it as I am too busy building it back up.

I do have a random question about shifting from Park to Drive etc...

Currently I can shift to any gear from Park while the car is off and no key in the ignition. Is there not a locking mechanism that keeps the auto trans in Park?

If there is, what might be broken?

Thanks!

[JMela]

Nope. First time I 'drove' what is now my 108, I moved the shutoff car into drive,rolling it down an incline and into the back of my babysitter's Honda hatchback. I think I was nine.

I think we are encouraged to use parking brake when parking.

[Tomguy]

Funny thing about that... I remember washing the 72 when I was 12 or so. I leaned on the front, and it started rolling back with a "Tick tick tick" as the parking pawl slipped. It wasn't fully in Park, and thanks to the weak pawl and no ignition interlock, I thought it was gone. I ran as fast as I could, and barely caught it on the increasing incline, and got in and stopped it before it would have rolled down a very steep incline into an apple tree.

That was the last time it was parked without the handbrake fully engaged.

[ScooterABC]

Originally Posted by n10

Currently I can shift to any gear from Park while the car is off and no key in the ignition. Is there not a locking mechanism that keeps the auto trans in Park?

There is no locking mechanism on the gear selector for an MB automatic of that era.

[n10]

Haha that's some funny stuff.

We'll good to know at least all is normal
Thanks fellas

[n10]

Oh speaking of which...

Is there an easy way to change out the plastic shift gate thing inside the shifter? Mine is busted up

[ScooterABC]

Originally Posted by n10

Oh speaking of which...

Is there an easy way to change out the plastic shift gate thing inside the shifter? Mine is busted up

Yes, it is easy to swap out. You have to pull the shift knob UP real hard to get it off, then unscrew 4 screws (bolts) and the shift gate lifts off. If you have a later car with illuminated shift gate you will need to disconnect that. The plastic is held in by bent-over tabs. The verdict is out for where to buy the plastic insert. You will find them at various prices from various sellers. I don't think MB actually sells them, or at least they used to not sell them. Perhaps now they do.

[n10]

Awesome!

Thanks Scooter

[ScooterABC]

Wait a minute - 1969 - does that have a simple chrome shaft with a round ball at the top? If so then what I said is correct. If instead it has a bigger chrome shaft with an odd shaped rubber handle at the top then I don't know how you get that off. I don't know what year they switched from the early to the late style. I know 68 has the early style and I know that 71 has the late style but I'm not sure about 1969...

[n10]

Yep, simple chrome and ball.
I have tried to twist it off with no luck so I shall try pulling next time

[ScooterABC]

Yeah, it doesn't twist. It pulls. If you can't pull it off, wrap a towel or something around the bottom, put a crescent wrench under that, and hit up on the wrench with a hammer.