I changed the fluid in the 5-speed manual gearbox (717.413) in my 1990 190E-2.3 Sportline on the weekend. This was the first time I have done so since purchasing this car a few years ago.

The fluid was clean and the small amount of fine metal filings on the drain plug magnet appeared normal. The larger broken item which appears to be a spring stuck to the magnet certainly did not appear normal ! The gearbox appears to behave perfectly normally and has not changed in behaviour since I have owned the car. For all I know this broken spring may have been there for many years.

Can anyone identify the item (see photos)? I have looked at the diagrams in the EPC but cannot see anything that looks exactly the same. There are some springs associated with the selector mechanism but none looking quite like this.

Thanks,
Greg

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107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.