Shifter bushings and NSS - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Addicted · #1 10-06-2007, 06:31 PM

Ok for about 6 months now I have had intermitent Neutral safety switch problems. I just get out when it does it and use some aligator clips on the points next to the battery. Starts right up.

About 3 monts ago my transmission all of the sudden was really sloppy. I just let it be but it became a real problem lately and now I can NEVER get my car to start unless bypassing it. So I go down to clean up and adjust and following problems

#1: How in the heck do you get that NSS back on. Does the white ring have to go on the actual switch first (2 black tabs I notice and perfect for the groves) but I absolutely can not do it with the white tab on the connector. it has to be done seperate it appears, but I can not get it on either way. that plastic ring was so stiff before I took it off that I had to pry it with a screwdriver. I'm guessing that was my NSS problem so hopefully I have that fixed. So any hints on how to get that thing back on.

#2: I took a peak under and something looked out of place on the shift linkage. I layed there for a few minutes before it hit me. Both of my bushings are completely gone. I'm guessing this explains my lose shifting and why I have to go above and beyond to get it to engage.

Lastly do you think the bushings are also why it will not start in park?

I figure if I have to order bushings I might as well not even put the NSS back on.

Can I get those bushing locally or do I need to order them on here. I don't feel like waiting a whole nother week for them to arrive. I can only work on weekends and next weekend is pretty much shot.

Jason

1985 300SD Sady · #2 10-06-2007, 09:21 PM

Order new bushings, I doubt you find them local.

It very well could be your only problem, though since you had intermittent NSS problems when your bushings were ok, it could be bad as well.

Addicted · #3 10-06-2007, 10:23 PM

Well I don't know if my bushing were ok then or not. It has always been a little sloppy but one day I just really noticed it. So i'm guessing one was gone or bad and then that day the other one went.

Now I was looking at the parts online here and I'm thinking of the bushings (2) that can both be seen underneith the car that the actual linkage bar goes through. I'm assuming this is what most people speak of when replacing their bushings. Also it is really tight under their on my TD. Any hints on getting them in easier

jbach36 · #4 10-07-2007, 01:15 AM

If you need to replace your lower shifter bushings, jbach36 wrote a GREAT repair how-to on the DIY articles, one of the best I've ever seen.

jeff

JimmyL · #5 10-07-2007, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbach36

If you need to replace your lower shifter bushings, jbach36 wrote a GREAT repair how-to on the DIY articles, one of the best I've ever seen.

jeff

He did do a pretty nice job on that, didn't he?

You would think he could provide a link......

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W124ShiftBushings

I had one dog-cussing of a time replacing the shifter bushings on my wagon. There just isn't much room to work with.

There is a special tool for installing them, but it is a little pricey considering the job. I just used nuts, bolts, washers and seems like a 19mm crows foot socket. I think I was too frustrated to take pics......

Here is a link to that thread:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=166882&highlight=shifter

Pay close attention to the simple logic of post #13

Good info in post 10 also.....

Addicted · #6 10-07-2007, 10:09 AM

Thank you for the link.. Great writeup indeed. Hopefully I can get these bushings and get this thing going correctly again.