Trnsmission, Manual floor '69 280 SL

[Cliff in Calif]

MY first post! Suddenly the shifter slides down & up about 4 inches (10 cm.).  It still shifts OK, but in 1st & 3rd gears, I must hold the shifter up, or I get a nasty grinding/rubbing noise.  My transmission guy would rather not eat up my $$ by disassembling it more than necessary & he's looking for ideas on part name/description/availability.  He thinks a teflon/nylon piece supporting the "ball" on the shifter broke.
What I'm looking for is a diagram that I could get to him that would show & identify relevant parts of the transmission, and maybe some expert suggestions on what to try--or even a "That happened to me" post.
 :?:
Thanks in advance to all who reply!

280 SL needs love (spelled $$$$)

[Douglas]

Very common and inexpensive repair. Run a search on "nylon bushings" or "shifter bushings" or something close to that. I think I've even posted pix.

I know I made an album online when my friend, Achim, and I did that exact repair. Shoot me an e-mail and I'll reply with a link.

In any event, welcome. Care to share show some pix of your Pagoda, Cliff?

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[Naj ✝︎]

quote:Originally posted by Cliff in Calif

MY first post! Suddenly the shifter slides down & up about 4 inches (10 cm.).  It still shifts OK, but in 1st & 3rd gears, I must hold the shifter up, or I get a nasty grinding/rubbing noise.  My transmission guy would rather not eat up my $$ by disassembling it more than necessary & he's looking for ideas on part name/description/availability.  He thinks a teflon/nylon piece supporting the "ball" on the shifter broke.
What I'm looking for is a diagram that I could get to him that would show & identify relevant parts of the transmission, and maybe some expert suggestions on what to try--or even a "That happened to me" post.
 :?:
Thanks in advance to all who reply!

280 SL needs love (spelled $$$$)

Have a look at this one:

http://index.php?topic=4134

I suggest you change all the plastic bushes, the 'wavy' washer and snap ring seen in the pictures.

naj

68 280SL

[Cliff in Calif]

Thanks for the help, Naj & Douglas.  The Saga continues...
I passed the info & photos on to Earl, my transmission guy.  He told me that when he passed the part numbers (in the link Naj sent me) on to his "contact", who passed them on to Mercedes in Germany, the numbers were reported to be incorrect--referencing nothing, apparently.  Thus, I'm in a bind. :?:
In my first post, I left out some info that I didn't realize could be important: (1)the transmission in the car is not the original, but a Mercedes-rebuilt one (sent over from Germany), installed in about 1997 but only about 22k miles ago; and (2) the replacement transmission's gearshift lever was straight (the original one was angled) and the shift lever that Earl put in 2 years ago was angled (but installed to "point" toward the rear of the car, not the front).
I hope that someone can give me hints on what to do next..


280 SL needs love (spelled $$$$)

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by Cliff in Calif

I hope that someone can give me hints on what to do next..

Next move is to read the transmission model number and serial number (if available) off the transmission.  We need to know what we're dealing with.  With non-standard equipment, your chances of getting accurate help here are reduced, but many members do have a broad knowledge.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[Cliff in Calif]

Thanks. Rodd.  I'll get that info Friday & see what help is offered.  
I love living on the west coast, but that means that by the time I post, most folks are offline...

280 SL needs love (spelled $$$$)

[Douglas]

No big deal here. Just re-orient the lever when you remove it to install the bushings.

If you call a Pagoda parts specialist like Gernold (SLTechW113.com), Al in parts at Caliber Motors in Anaheim, or Star Quality, they can simpy bundle the parts you need without the aid of parts numbers from you (see the official links section on this site). They'll know what you need to do the job.

(By the way, when I did this procedure in 2002, the parts cost around $30.)



Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[rwmastel]

Doug,

When Cliff said he got a rebuilt MB transmission, I was not assuming it was a Pagoda-correct transmission.  I thought it might be anything that would fit.  Maybe it is right, with the wrong shift lever?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[Cliff in Calif]

Rodd:
I have assumed that the rebuilt transmission is "Pagoda-correct" since it was ordered & installed by a Mercedes-licensed dealer.  I'm wondering if there's a difference between the Euro- and American-marketed transmissions.

GOOD NEWS: My transmission guy just called to say that the photos I had forwarded to him (sent me by Douglas & Naj--thanks, gentlemen!) were perfect--showing just what I have.  He'll send them to his SoCal contact for reference.

Douglas:  I'll send Earl the contact info in your last post, & also check my e-mail.

I love this forum & will keep everyone posted.  I need to use the vehicle next Wed-Fri to take my son to UC Davis for orientation (and I'll make the other dads jealous).


280 SL needs love (spelled $$$$)

[Cliff in Calif]

quote:Originally posted by Douglas

(see the official links section on this site


Douglas Kim
New York
USA

Douglas:
HOW do I find the "official links section"? I've looked all over,but I can't find the link.

280 SL needs love (spelled $$$$)

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by Cliff in Calif

HOW do I find the "official links section"? I've looked all over,but I can't find the link.

Walking through the steps:
- right click on the blue "Pagoda SL Group" logo in top left corner and open in new window (so you can keep reading this).
- in the menu on the left, click on Databases
- in the list of databases, click on Parts and Service Suppliers

Bookmark that page for easy future reference.  People always ask, "Where's the best place to get parts?"  Well, most people use a lot of places at first, and end up finding a select few that they prefer because of a combination of customer service, W113 knowledge, and price.  But, everyone seems to have a different set of favorites!  All we can say is shop around as much as you can.  After a while, you'll develop a few good relationships with some suppliers and you'll always go back to them.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420