97 C36 rattle under the shifter...
 

....have any other 97 C36 owners have this problem? It sounds like a tinny rattle under the shifter and it happens under load. I first thought it was some small rocks under the heat shield but this is not the case. I am concerned about taking the cover on the console off so that I can take a look at the top of the tranny, but I may break the wood if done incorrectly. Any tips or similar stories? Cheers!

Shaun

Is your shift lever loose/sloppy also?

In the w124 chassis there are two nylon shifter bushings, one at the shift lever/linkage connection and one at the tranny/linkage connection. They disintergrate over time and in my car there was the rattle under load and a sloppy shifter. I replaced both from underneath the car. An easy fix. Plenty of threads on this topic. Try searching under "loose shifter".

glenmore
1991 300CE
2000 C280
1990 LS400

I replaced the shifter bushings and still have a rattle. The shifter is firm but still rattles when under load. I have to move the shifter over to temporarilly stop the rattle. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys...
 

Glenmore, the shifter feels quite tight but I will be more aware today when I am driving. Next time the car is on the hoist, I will check the linkage on both the tranny and shifter. So you can still change the shifter linkage from below, eh? I did a search but used "C36 rattle" so I will try "loose shifter"

I will see if I can move the shifter and if it changes the rattle or stops it, I will post back. Take care!

Shaun

Two more things to check.

First, it could be the cat(s) rattling inside. That's expensive.

Second, it could be the thin metal heat shield over the exhaust. Mine made somewhat of a strange rattle there at certain engine RPMs.

Hey Matt...
 

The cat is in great shape but the heat shield could be suspect. I did hit it with my fist and some rocks (one the size of a pea) came out but the mechanic still told me this was not the issue. I think I need to pull it off and really have a look. Cheers!

shaun

I found that the heat shield was my issue by tapping it with my hand. It sounded very much like the noise I was hearing. I then put the car up on ramps and gently bent the edges of the shield in a few places to add some rigidity, which made the noise go away.

Thank you again..
 

You are probably right Matt. I will look at it next time it is on a hoist and make it more rigid. Cheers!

Shaun