250SL having issues engaging into gear, the shifter is completely loose

[sgp]

Hello members of the forum,

I would kindly want to request your assistance as my 1967 250SL Automatic is having issues engaging into gear, the shifter is completely loose. When I lifted the car I found that the (PART.JPG attached) with broken round bushing had fallen into the flooring panel. From what I understand the bushing broke and needs replacement.

However I don't know:
1. How to reconnect the part to the rest of the car?
2. What is the correct direction to place the bushing inside the part?
3. Do I need more than one bushing?
4. The car seems to be in neutral but how do I guarantee it falls into the correct gear once the part is put in?

Many thanks!

[rjgricius1]

Your car is an automatic, so I would replace all the bushings.In your picture look at the upper right, each of the bits and pieces should be replaced. The Classic center sells the complete set. This of course requires the removal of the shifter from the tunnel (done from the inside of the car). The bushings on the rod that show are just pushed on, I suggest dropping them hot water to expand and become pliable. Make sure you take multiple pictures of the shifter, washers, bushings and position of all the parts. I have done a couple and it has presented a puzzle each time I went to put everything together.
Search this site in that I recall a post where someone posted multiple pictures.

[sgp]

Thanks!

[sgp]

Hi rjgricius1,

I'm having the same issue and just received new bushings. Do you know how to correctly install the bushings onto the gear lever? 

Option 1 in the picture attached has the the flat part of the bushing with the smaller hole towards the lever

Option 2 in the picture attached has the the rounder part of the bushing with the larger hole towards the lever

Thanks!

[ja17]

The smaller hole always must be installed so it engages the linkage ball first. In this way it locks itself tightly on the ball. You can use a vice and correct socket to "press" the bushing into the linkage rod. Good advice on warming the bushing in hot water before to make it pliable. The other alternative is to buy the special bushing installing tool.