230SL gear linkage bushing help.

[georgem]

I have just replaced all (or nearly all) linkage bushings in my gear lever - the only two that are giving me grief ( to the point of having destroyed two and needing to order two more from SLS )... are the two nylon bushings that fit into the SHIFTING SHAFT (SLS part # 28 - comes out of the back of the gearbox) -  and the SHIFTING ROD FORK FLANGE (SLS part # 24) There was no way that I could get the fork to slide over the new bushings so I (foolishly?) ground them down a bit, then a bit more etc until the forks fitted over them but the fit was too sloppy.

So, is there a proper/easy/hack means of fitting them?  All suggestions welcome.

Regards

George

[Duncan200]

Hi George,

Are the two bushes you’re talking about number 22 in the pic I’ve attached?

If so, I too am having difficulty getting these bushes to fit, so much so, that I can only get one side to comfortably fit between the fork and the rod.

I’m not sure if the bushes are perhaps different on the various models and a one size fits all approach has been taken and may not necessarily be correct.

I haven’t reached the point of putting my driveline back in yet, so it was a tomorrow problem, but it won’t be too far away.

I hope we can both find a solution.

Doug

[georgem]

Hi Doug, Yup, the're the ones.

[badali]

Heat them up in boiling water and quickly press them in.  There is a tool for pressing them in.

[georgem]

Hi Badali,

Thanks for the tips: -the bushes sit nicely into the gear shift rod without help but I shall try the hot water trick - have you had any luck using this method?

George

[rwmastel]

... but I shall try the hot water trick ....

George,

Hopefully you fit new bushings, not your modified ones.  I've not done this, but now that Brad mentions it and shows the tool, it reminds me that quite a few members have used this tool and hot water successfully.  Proceed!!  Maybe you can resell the tool to Doug.

[badali]

Hot water makes them a little easier to press in.  I also used a hair drier to warm them and it works well also.

[Duncan200]

So I heated them with a hairdryer and attempted to slide the fork over.

As you can see from the pic, the fork is not wide enough for the bushes to slide in.

Perhaps I’m doing something wrong, but I can’t see it going on unless I thin down the bushings.

Doug

[JohnnyC]

George, Could it be your shift linkage is installed backwards. I had no problems installing mine. I purchased new plastic  bushings from Authentic Classics. I’m not sure if the earlier 230s use the same components as mine or not.  Cheers and God Bless, JohnnyC

[Duncan200]

Hi All,

Neither George or myself are going mad thankfully.

Here’s another post that reports an issue with the bushes.

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=33379.0

They will just need to be filed thinner.

Doug

[BobH]

Part numbers are on here if it helps, perhaps your supplier has sent the incorrect ones?  Shouldn't have to start modifying them

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/TransmissionClutch/Shifter#ManualShifter

[georgem]

Well, its in and all buttoned up - a test drive has proven that everything is A OK -gear changes are now very precise, but be assured that getting those two bushes in, for me anyway, ranks up there with installing the heater box under the dash

I used a combination of hot water and silicone spray combined with a touch of brute force.
I removed the actuating rod from the tunnel and filed the edges of the forks to remove any burrs. I left the gear stick attached. I found a scrap piece of 2mm aluminium plate about 5cm x 15cm and wedged this underneath the gear shift rod (that comes out of the back of the gearbox - NOTE this should be in the fully forward position) - this formed a ramp and guide for the forks to slide up and onto the Gear shift rod. Next, I installed the two hot water-soaked bushes and held them in place with a 15cm set on vice grips - lined the forks up, sprayed the silicone and levered the shaft forward with a bit of wood that I had on standby. After a bit of wiggling of the gear lever, the forks slid forward, and I quickly installed the bolt - JOB DONE!!!

So.......thanks everyone for the suggestions, esp the hot water, - without that I don`t think the silicone spray alone would have done the job