Author Topic: No Reverse Manual Transmission  (Read 6027 times)

n/a

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No Reverse Manual Transmission
« on: March 23, 2006, 07:24:01 »
I can't seem to get my 4 speed manual into reverse.  When I try going up and left it just goes into 1st.  Have accessed the linkage from inside the car but don't see any problems.  The transmission runs fine in forward so I don't think it is a gear problem.  Please help.

1969 280SL 4-Speed

jeffc280sl

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Re: No Reverse Manual Transmission
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2006, 08:26:37 »
How about the conditions of your plastic shifter bushings?  I can imagine them being very worn and causing one not to hit the correct slot.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

Benz Dr.

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Re: No Reverse Manual Transmission
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2006, 10:15:49 »
You will always loose reverse gear if the plastic bushing at the trans fails. I'm sure some cheap cars have been bought for a 1 dollar part.

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
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1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
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1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
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1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

Naj ✝︎

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Re: No Reverse Manual Transmission
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2006, 12:40:42 »
As the good Doc. says:
Check these plastic bushings under the gear lever; the snap ring gets well beaten up too and sometimes comes off when the bushes are worn out.

Download Attachment: GrShft03.JPG
33.43 KB

and at gearbox (Xessible from front cover on tunnel)

Download Attachment: GrShft14.JPG
18.59 KB+

naj

65 230SL
68 280SL
« Last Edit: March 23, 2006, 12:43:44 by naj »
68 280SL

ja17

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Re: No Reverse Manual Transmission
« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2006, 18:03:31 »
Yes we are all in agreement on this fix. Order all the shift  bushings and you will be set for another twenty years!

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

n/a

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Re: No Reverse Manual Transmission
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2006, 10:28:48 »
Thanks for the responses everyone.  I pulled up some more carpet on the tunnel to reveal the second access panel.  Sure enough the bushings were shot on the linkage close to the transmission.  Easy fix and now it shifts great.

1969 280SL 4-Speed