Author Topic: A good 50 bucks! Shifter Bushings  (Read 6096 times)

SteveK

  • Guest
A good 50 bucks! Shifter Bushings
« on: September 26, 2009, 16:22:23 »
I was out driving last weekend and the 4 speed started feeling a little sloppier than usual.  I parked at a store and when we came out I had no reverse.  No big deal, I was able to push the car back a few feet and with the sloppy transmission drove home.  I immediately went to the Technical Manual and found both the diagnosis and the solution.   Sent an e-mail to my now buddy Jon at the Classic Center and $50 later (delivered) I had all of the bushings listed in the tech manual to rebuild the linkage on both ends, and on the stick shift itself.   An easy 1 hour apart and 1 hour together job that anyone with a few tools can do.  Can't believe what a difference it made in the shifter, it now clicks into each gear.  So if your shifting is getting a little sloppy, $50 today (or as an fun winter project) is worth doing!
« Last Edit: September 27, 2009, 11:57:16 by 280SL71 »

abe280SL

  • Guest
Re: A good 50 bucks!
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2009, 19:16:54 »
Did that last year and I couldn't agree more...
abe

Frank Mallory

  • Guest
Re: A good 50 bucks! Shifter Bushings
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2011, 03:08:08 »
Okay; so I'm asking -only- 2 years after you first posted this, but: do you have the part# for that bushing kit? Also; is the shift lever in my '68 280SL supposed to be spring-loaded to where it will hold to either the left or right hand side of the gate?  
   Any other tips for tightening up what I call "The Black Hole" in my car? (The overall shifter feel!)
« Last Edit: July 30, 2011, 03:10:03 by Frank Mallory »

SteveK

  • Guest
Re: A good 50 bucks! Shifter Bushings
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2011, 11:23:14 »
Hey, whats a few years!   You can find all the part numbers in the Technical Manual on this page: 

http://www.sl113.org/wiki/TransmissionClutch/Shifter

I don't remember any springs; once the bushings are new again everything will stay in place by itself. 

Frank Mallory

  • Guest
Re: A good 50 bucks! Shifter Bushings
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2011, 13:11:02 »
Thanks! I drove my Dad's 250SL in the late 1970's ... it was a 5-speed, and I don't remember any vagueness in the shifter at all...

akessel56

  • Guest
Re: A good 50 bucks! Shifter Bushings
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2013, 20:25:14 »
Is the bushing the same on the auto as the manual - this has recured on me, and I sort of want to shoot myself.
I have a 280sl

I found this  http://www.carpartsdiscount.com/auto/parts/71/mercedes_benz/280sl/shifters_linkage/shift_rod_bushing.html?3593=60552

Don't know if its right though.

Andy

Larry & Norma

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • United Kingdom, England, Southampton
  • Posts: 1090
Re: A good 50 bucks! Shifter Bushings
« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2013, 07:50:38 »
Looks very similar, but no sizes given to compare.
Larry Hall (Gnuface)
2023 Ioniq6
2005 C230
1970 280SL

Naj ✝︎

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • United Kingdom, Surrey, New Malden
  • Posts: 3163
68 280SL