Author Topic: Manual Shifter Slides Down into Tunnel  (Read 3657 times)

duffelpud

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Manual Shifter Slides Down into Tunnel
« on: May 18, 2011, 15:04:03 »
I recently purchased a '68 250sl that has the manual trannie.  I immediately noticed that the shifter assembly slides down into the drive tunnel, like a pin or something has fallen out.  How do I access this area and what might be the probable issue?

IXLR8

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Re: Manual Shifter Slides Down into Tunnel
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2011, 17:13:35 »
Hi--

The shifter is held in the shifter plate by two convex nylon bushings. On cars of this age. The.bushings have likely turned to powder.

The shifter plate is located beneath a nylon cover plate bolted to the tunnel.

As long as you are going in, I'd suggest you renew the bushings-- also nylon--where the stiff lever is attached to the shift rod AND the bushings where the shift rod attaches to the transmission. These are located trough an access plate on the top of the transmission tunnel about 12 inches or so toward the front of the car from the shift lever access cover.

A bit of a pain, but the bushings are relatively inexpensive.

Joe

duffelpud

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Re: Manual Shifter Slides Down into Tunnel
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2011, 18:23:25 »
That is great advice.  Thanks for it!  Any leads on the best deal for those parts - is there a 'repair kit' that someone carries?

Peter h

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Re: Manual Shifter Slides Down into Tunnel
« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2011, 20:18:42 »
Hallo

here some pictures from the very nice webside of my friend Wolfgang , sorry but only in German.
http://www.beetle.homepage.t-online.de/Schalthebel%20faellt%20nach%20unten%20Mercedes%20Pagode%20W113.htm

Peter

its interesting to look over all pages
08.68 280sl automatic white 717 G  blue MB Tex
09.68 280sl  4-speed, now 5-speed Getrag 180 G dark green MB Tex

IXLR8

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Re: Manual Shifter Slides Down into Tunnel
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2011, 23:59:57 »
Hi--

All the usual suppliers carry these items--Miller's, K&K, Buds, AutohausAZ, etc.

Most suppliers post exploded parts diagrams so you can identify the specific items that you need.

Joe

Jordan

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Re: Manual Shifter Slides Down into Tunnel
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2011, 11:41:05 »
In addition to the bushings I would recommend replacing all the rubber as well, since you are in there.  If the bushings are shot its a good guess the rubber has lost its elasticity after all this time.
Marcus
66 230SL  Euro 4 speed