Author Topic: Changing Floor gear-shift bushings on W111 Coupe.  (Read 5711 times)

larryled

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Changing Floor gear-shift bushings on W111 Coupe.
« on: July 16, 2018, 20:17:27 »
I own a 113, but in my 111 Coupe I have replaced the two bushings on the gear shift but I think there is another set further up the linkage because there is still is a lot of lateral play/movement in the gear shift. Help! 

ja17

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Re: Changing Floor gear-shift bushings on W111 Coupe.
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2018, 06:19:25 »
It is set up the same as a W113. There are about a dozen bushings total. Two at the transmission shift rod, two at the transmission support rods, two around the ball at the base of the shifter lever, two at the support rods at the shifter and four where the main shift rod connects to the chrome shifter lever.  in the set. Add the two flexible membranes around the shifter assembly (upper and lower) also. There is a rubber dust boot below the shift rod. Also is a good time to replace the rubber boot around the shifter base on the exterior if you need it.  Your going to end up with nearly $200.00. Do your research on this site for lots of pictures and details. If you decide to remove the shifter ball, be careful, the plastic becomes brittle from age and sun. It will split into many pieces when re-installing it. Be gentle, they are expensive.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

Pawel66

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Re: Changing Floor gear-shift bushings on W111 Coupe.
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2018, 07:12:10 »
I have recently been trying to help a friend of mine to locate these parts. Maybe this is a good illustration of Joe's words.

https://www.sls-hh-shop.de/main/en/mercedes-230-280sl-w113-/25-26-clutch-4-speed-box/26-b-gearlever-linkage
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

JPMOSE

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Re: Changing Floor gear-shift bushings on W111 Coupe.
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2018, 15:36:43 »
Does this apply to manual transmissions only?   I understand there are bushings for Auto as well, but don't recall so many bushings required.
Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1970 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet
1987 560SL

wwheeler

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Re: Changing Floor gear-shift bushings on W111 Coupe.
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2018, 16:05:48 »
Yes, only manual. The auto is much simpler as far as bushings go. Just everything else is more complicated. ;) If you need, I can what all is involved on my W111 coupe.
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

Leester

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Re: Changing Floor gear-shift bushings on W111 Coupe.
« Reply #5 on: July 19, 2018, 23:34:47 »
Hello Larry,

Here's a photo that might give you an idea of parts you cannot see inside the tunnel. If you would like to come over to my place in Lorton and have a look let me know. 690-1248 or 209-3559. same area code as you.
Lee Backus
1963 220SE Cabriolet
1970 280SL (reassembling - hopefully soon)
1978 450SL (disassembled for paint)
1985 500SEC

ja17

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Re: Changing Floor gear-shift bushings on W111 Coupe.
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2018, 04:20:23 »
Good photo, but you are missing the front coupling with bushings at the transmission cover.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

specracer

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Re: Changing Floor gear-shift bushings on W111 Coupe.
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2018, 10:17:52 »
In my case, the shift rod itself was a major source of play. Referencing the photo above, the forward end where you can see the pin sticking out, the hole was badly ovaled out causing a lot of slop. I was going to tack weld it in place, but was able to find a used rod for not much $, so went that route instead.

larryled

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Re: Changing Floor gear-shift bushings on W111 Coupe.
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2018, 19:17:13 »
Thanks t each of you very much for your help and comments (too many to note) but I did get the two bushings around the shift rod ball replaced, upper and lower as well as the rubber boot below the ball (the old bushings were crumbled).   But I still have excessive play and looseness and I think that means there may be a spring up front that may be off/broken?  Your further  comments about this are welcome, because I have no experience in this.    BTW, Joe, I was at your last Pagoda U., and I have met,  or know of several of you.  Thanks again.  At 81 I probably did a foolish thing, a few months back I bought a 67 230SL that needs much!  I must be loosing my mind! Larry

ja17

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Re: Changing Floor gear-shift bushings on W111 Coupe.
« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2018, 06:45:26 »
Hi Larry, always good to hear from a Pagoda U graduate. There are no springs up front. Just the two bushings at the transmission connection (most critical).  As specracer mentioned, the rod itself could be faulty at the pin/rubber joint (less likely). The bushings at the ends of the two support rods at the transmission could also be bad (less critical).
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

PeterPortugal

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Re: Changing Floor gear-shift bushings on W111 Coupe.
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2018, 13:03:24 »
Larry,

I did this job recently. You have to remove the plate on the top of the transmission tunnel to get to the bushings on the front yoke. These were completely gone on my car and resulted in a lot of play in the left/right direction when moving the gear lever.

Note that it was quite difficult to get the bushings fitted and I opened up the arms on the yoke slightly. Note also the bolt is special which passes through the yoke.

I could give you some pictures if you require.

Best of luck

Peter
1963 220se Cabrio
1968 280se Coupe

ja17

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Re: Changing Floor gear-shift bushings on W111 Coupe.
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2018, 14:45:37 »
Yes, push the transmission lever into first or third gear before you begin. By doing this, you will move the yoke rearward and make it easier to change the bushings. The special bolt will only go in one side of the yoke, so make sure you remember which side you removed it from.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

PeterPortugal

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Re: Changing Floor gear-shift bushings on W111 Coupe.
« Reply #12 on: July 31, 2018, 15:33:30 »
Hi Larry,

Picture of gearbox cover attached.

Regards

Peter
1963 220se Cabrio
1968 280se Coupe

PeterPortugal

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Re: Changing Floor gear-shift bushings on W111 Coupe.
« Reply #13 on: August 11, 2018, 10:16:53 »
Larry,

Did you have any success?

Regards

Peter
1963 220se Cabrio
1968 280se Coupe