Fitting gear linkage bushes

[Olazz]

Thanks to Naj who  met at the Cranleigh show today, he had some spare bushes which he very kindly sold to me.

Now I have managed to put the bushes into the control rod, having removed it from the transmission tunnel..... But I cannot for the life of me get the bushes to "pop" over the tapered end of the shifter, or indeed the gearbox end!

I have tried a vice, mole grips, silicone, but they just won't pop over... 2 Hours of swearing!!!!!

Can anyone please give me any ideas on how to do it,  before I set fire to the damn car!!!!

Thanks

Lazz
 

[mbzse]

.../...put the bushes into the control rod, having removed it from the transmission tunnel..... But I cannot for the life of me get the bushes to "pop" over the tapered end of the shifter.../...

Find some info you need here:
http://sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=3717
And here
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=TransmissionClutch.Shifter
Quote from Wiki:
"Soak the plastic bushing in very hot water for 15 minutes. This will make the plastic softer and allow for an easier installation. The bushing has a small hole side and a large hole side. The small hole side is what you reattach to the shift gate. It should "pop" in with a little force"
 
/Hans in Sweden

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[Olazz]

Find some info you need here:
http://sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=3717
And here
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=TransmissionClutch.Shifter
Quote from Wiki:
"Soak the plastic bushing in very hot water for 15 minutes. This will make the plastic softer and allow for an easier installation. The bushing has a small hole side and a large hole side. The small hole side is what you reattach to the shift gate. It should "pop" in with a little force"
 
/Hans in Sweden

.

Thanks Hans,

I have followed all the links and guidance. I don't have a problem fitting the bushes to the linkage rod. I just cannot get the bushes to "pop" onto the shifter lever or the gearbox.

I can install the bushes on the shifter no problem, but then I cant get the linkage rod onto the shifter. Every one say put bushes into linkage rod FIRST, then just pop them on to the shifter lever.... Well my won't pop on!

I wondered if there is a special technique, as every time I try and press the linkage together, the bushes push out of the linkage rod.... maybe I'm using too much silicone?





  

[mbzse]

.../...I just cannot get the bushes to "pop" onto the shifter lever or the gearbox.../..every time I try and press the linkage together, the bushes push out of the linkage rod....

Hmm, very surprised hearing this - my experience is, the bushing sits tight enough once you have it mounted into the eye in the linkage rod (arm).
See pic attached. If it disengages, something seems to be awry... Perhaps you can get a mechanic friend to have a look together with you

This is a quote from hands_aus in Australia:

"Remember they [the nylon bushings] work only one way. You will understand when you get the new bushes and have a look at the selector lever on the trans. Make sure you are supplied with the correct bushes. I wasn't and the lever came off within about 20 meters of driving"

/Hans in Sweden

.

[Olazz]

Ok finally sorted it...

Put tools dow went inside to have a cup of Asam, and rethink the problem. 

Decided to Remove the bushes from the linkage rod and dried the silicone from both the rod and the bush thoroughly.
Refitted the DRY bushes into the linkage rod without using silicone.

Put a small dab of white grease on the tapered end.... and presto it "popped on"  easily and snapped into place. Did the same under the car at the gearbox end and same simple result!!!

Took car for a drive and all seems to work.!

A salutary lesson learnt. Don't use Silicone lubricant when fitting this type of hard rubber bush!!

Hans, thank you for your suggestions, much appreciated.

[Frank Mallory]

So; After all the work and frustration... How does your shifter feel?? 

[Olazz]

Frank I've go to say, that after all that hassle, not a a whole lot different.
It works and thats great.

Its a pretty poor design by Mercedes really, so I will see if i can come up with a more robust solution.

[Larry & Norma]

Like mine it lasted 40 years before it fell off. That is pretty robust in my books

[hands_aus]

I have seen a similar system on sedans of the era BUT they have had a circular groove cut in the outer edge of the studs the nylon bushes clip onto.
Once the linkage rod is in place a "C" clip is then added to the groove as additional security.

Some people drill a hole through the gear box stud and put a split pin through it as a preventative of the linkage rod falling off.

[PeterW113]

Hello all, I have a follow up question which I would appreciate some help on as I am about to change the linkage bushes.

What is the procedure to remove the shifter assembly from inside the car.

My car is complete so what does it involve, seats, transmision tunnel carpets etc. or can it be removed with everything in situ?

Many thanks in advance.

Peter

[Larry & Norma]

You do not have to remove the seats, but the tunnel carpet will have to
be removed. It will then become more obvious how to proceed.

[DavidBrough]

I must admit that the heat treatment worked very well for me when I changed mine but I used a hot air gun not water, just remember not to use too much heat or you'll melt them but they slide straight in when hot enough.

[PeterW113]

Many thanks all, I will attempt to remove the tunnel carpet with much care this weekend.

Kind regards

Peter