There are a bunch of bearings that support the various shafts and gears. You have now pretty much exhausted my knowledge of manual transmissions.

To do anything with the box, you have to take it out, which is expensive. So you might as well put in a rebuilt unit with a guarantee. There are enough 5-speeds in Europe that you might be able to find a good used box with a limited guarantee.

It all depends on how long you plan to keep the car. IMHO, you are better off with a used or rebuilt than paying for someone to go in and muck around and find the problem, and then other worn parts are found and suddenly you are looking at a giant repair bill.

Cheers.

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe