Auto transmission setup

[rwaw]

Undid shiftgate etc on inside of car and found all links to be tight+firm, however on putting it all together again the gear lever will now not reach to position "2" anymore.

Furthermore on the underside of the car it seems a cover held in place by about 10 bolts (17mm) hides the necessary links/bushings that need adjusting.
When I started to undo half of them the whole gearbox seemed to move downwards !
Any help appreciated.

[Cees Klumper]

This plate does support the transmission, I think actually it supports the (rubber) transmission mount. I replaced this mount last year, and from my recollection, I placed a jack under the trans, so that when you remove the plate, the trans (and thus the whole engine/trans combination) stays in place. If you take off the plate (for which I think you also have to loosen and lower the exhaust) you may want to go ahead and replace the transmission mount, they're not that expensive and do wear out over time. It's not a difficult job, but does take some time.
I never looked at how the shifter linkage is routed so I can't help you there unfortunately.

[hands_aus]

If you have a Haynes manual or the MB Service Manual you will find a fairly good description of how to adjust those link rods.
I thought the selector lever on the transmission and linkages were accessible from the LHS of the transmission in front of the rear support plate.

Bob(Brisbane,Australia)

[ja17]

Hello rwaw,
The transmission will move downward when unfastening the rear mounting plate. The transmission must remain in place for proper adjustment of the linkage.  You can support the transmission with a bottle jack, jack stand, scissors jack, floor jack or whatever. The heavy aluminum adapter plate between the engine and transmission is strong enough to support the weight. Do not use the transmission pan unless a board is used to distribute the weight. Once the support plate is removed unhook one end of the linkage and change the length so that the transmission locks when the shifter is in "P". Before closing everything up, run the shifter through the full range. Check the park lock again. Bolt the support plate up so that the transmission is up in place and once more check the parking lock (turn the drive shaft by the differential or turn a rear wheel. If everything seems to work finish the assembly.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio