280SL 1968 Rear wheels won't turn

[Thierry du Laos]

Hi every body,
I have received at last my car bought 2 years ago in New York.
She has been kept for 2 years in local customs as they claimed me too much of import tax to bring the car in the country (44 000 US$).
Finally after that long period of negotiation we found an agreement and the car is at home.
But, the rears wheels won't rotate!
I don't know what happened to this car. I've checked the rear brakes, they're free to rotate.
I haven't started the car yet as she has been seating for a long time and needs to be checked before restart.
I suspect the automatic gear box to lock the shaft rotation?
Would it be possible that the GB blocks the rear shafts?
Can I release without starting the engine, if it is the case?
Thanks for any advice!!!
Thierry

[w113dude]

Most likely your hand brake pads are stuck in place, this is some what common, take the rear wheel off bang on the hub with a hammer sometimes they pop back in to place otherwise you have to take the disc off.
If that checks out then it could be the transmission linkage that has come loose.

[stickandrudderman]

Always start with the obvious.
Have you taken it out of "P" for Park?

[ja17]

Sorry to hear of your high tariffs. Autos get taxed too much and too many times as they pass from owner to owner.

Your shifter linkage rod may have become disconnected with the transmission in "P" . Plastic bushings on the shift rod deteriorate and the rod can fall off.  Easy fix, but you will need to inspect under the car to see the problem.

[Thierry du Laos]

Thanks, I will check the cables you said.
Yes I checked the brakes at first.
I thought about the position of the gear lever, but I seems very loose.
I am not yet familiar with the car and prefer to have the advices of guys that know already.
When I have dismantled and rebuilt the car, I won't ask anymore, if hopefully one days we get to know everything??
By the way, what Manual is the best as REPAIR MANUAL?
I have one for my PONTONS that includes the repairs and parts.
Any similar for the 280SL you recommend that covers in details?
Thanks
Thierry

[w113dude]

If the shift lever is very loose that is sign that the linkage is off from the transmission.
Here is a picture of the service manual for your car, it is also called the "big blue book" BBB for short,

[Flyair]

Thierry

Most of the ideas were already thrown here, but for me the first thing is to see whether the wheels don't turn at all, i.e. they are blocked, which indicated a mechanical issue (breaks most likely) or rust… If the wheels turn when for example you push the car and do not turn i.e do not react with your engine working and the gear engaged, then this is most likely the linkage that is faulty.

I somehow suspect rust issue in such a climate…

bonne chance

[Thierry du Laos]

I will let you know my findings when I have time to spend to fix the car, at the latter this week end
Merci ...

[Thierry du Laos]

Hi,
I couldn't wait and after jacking the car yesterday evening, moved a small lever on the left side of the gear box which immediatly released the wheels.
So the problem is at the level of the control. No big deal.
This week end I will try to restart the beauty and may have more topics coming?
Thanks for your valuable advices.
Thierry from Laos

[Thierry du Laos]

This week end I lost again the control of the gear box. It is the connection between the handle lever and the link to the gear box that is weak.
There is a plastic kind of clip, but this one is cooked after 45 years. The plastic falls apart.
I will have to solve that later. Now I just need to restart the engine, not to drive the car!!!
Park position is enough so far... .