I have noticed the gear column stick on my 72 280se 4.5 is quite difficult to move from Reverse to Park. It is easier to move the other way and goes relatively smoothly from R to D and back. Is there a trick to this (i.e. by design) or is this indicative of worn bushings? If the latter, how involved is the job of replacing bushings?

As always, thanks in advance for insights.

Most likely worn bushings in shifter mechanism and in the rods connecting it to transmission. Check the archives here as others have had similar issues.

While you are under the car replacing the bushings, with the linkage disconnected try moving the shifter in the car. If it's still hard to move you can use some lubricant on the pivot. I had this problem with my SDL when I got it, though it made the shifter hard to move to any gear.

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

OK, thanks. I am not very mechanically inclined, is replacing these bushings a difficult job?

Here's a photo essay documenting replacement of the column shift bushings:

M-100 Message Board - Horn "short" in column change cars.

Perfect - Thanks for sharing that!

If you are not mechanically inclined, read the link that was sent to you about replacing bushings and if you feel comfortable with it, then do it yourself, and if you don't, make sure you print out the info and give it to your mechanical person. And definitely check the ball-socket bushing on the transmission itself. If it pops off you can't shift even though there is nothing wrong but a little worn piece.

See if you want to become mechanically inclined. It's fun for a lot of us. It's uncomfortable for some of us. There is no right or wrong answer. Read, decide, try things, and if you don't like doing it get someone else to do it.