4 Speed SL Transmission External

[JRWINMV]

I am a mechanical rookie (and 1st time forum user), working on my Mother-In-Law's 1969 280SL with its 4 speed gear box.  The center console shift lever is VERY sloppy and it's now difficult to shift into reverse gear although once in gear (any gear) it runs well.

Inspection under the car shows me the bottom end of the gear shift 'ball' and the shift shaft that connects to the transmission.  The bolted connections appear to be tight.  I would appreciate it if someone would please direct me to a part number or bushing replacement guide, photo, etc.  My service manual does not address this part or connection.

Thank you.

[ja17]

Hello JR,

You will find quite a few plastic bushings involved in mounting the shifter. They get old and crumble causing a sloppy shifter eventually reverse will be impossible to reach until you replace them.  Call K&K Manufac. or Bud's Benz for the entire kit. There are four  at the transmission shifter connection and six or eight more under the shifter itself. Replacing them will make a big difference.  You can do all the work from inside the car. You will need to remove the tunnel carpet and the metal cover over the shift rod.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[Naj ✝︎]

Also, have a look here:

http://www.sl113.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=ManualGear.Start

naj

68 280SL

[JRWINMV]

Thank you naj and Joe.  It will be a good thing to have reverse gear again.  It's getting worse and worse...  I appreciate your response.