Dropped Manual Shift Column

[Jack the Knife]

Hello gentlemen,

When I purchased my 1964 230SL, the bushings in the shifter and tie rods clearly needed to be replaced, as the shifter was dropping down about 2". I have seen some posts on this topic before, but they as well as the technical manual really only extensively go into replacing the bushings of the automatic transmission rather than the standard transmission.

I took off the carpet and removed the covering plate about a foot forward from the shifter and saw someone had replaced those bushings probably in recent history, as they looked to be in good shape. The bushings around the shifter however resembled cottage cheese -- completely disintegrated. I replaced the bushings around the shifter, but I am not quite clear how it all goes back together. I am aware of the exploded view graphic here, but it does not seem as if the ball joint can fit inside the nylon bushing like it is showing: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?PHPSESSID=lunka124d5u5tnof19lu2mhnoq&action=dlattach;ts=1536199077;topic=28144.0;attach=61495;image

Attached photo shows the ball joint just sitting on top of it at this point. Also, I am unclear where this rubber bit goes: https://puu.sh/Ju8pq/96fdf6107f.png

I did use the search feature, but it appears something is occurring to everyone else but not me, could be that I've never so much as taken a wrench to any component of a standard!

[Leester]

SLS diagram might be helpful.  Lee

[Jack the Knife]

SLS diagram might be helpful.  Lee

Indeed… I did link this diagram in my first post. Examining the SLS catalog, it looks like there’s a part that I don’t have: https://www.sls-hh-shop.de/main/en/categories_name-c-0/seal-boot-230sl-early-p-4046
I guess this is what is missing?

[Leester]

Sorry, didn't realize you already had the SLS diagram. I rebuilt my shift lever bushings but mine is a 280. I don't remember using anything like the seal you refer to. Yours is a fairly early 230 and may be different than what I have. Maybe one of the early 230 guys can weigh in.  Good luck. Lee

[Jack the Knife]

Sorry, didn't realize you already had the SLS diagram. I rebuilt my shift lever bushings but mine is a 280. I don't remember using anything like the seal you refer to. Yours is a fairly early 230 and may be different than what I have. Maybe one of the early 230 guys can weigh in.  Good luck. Lee

I called Palm Beach Classics and asked about it today and they said they'd never even seen this "seal boot". The one included in my bushing kit, which was given to me by the prior owner, is from a later car. So I went ahead and ordered an entirely new bushing kit from SLS as well as that rubber piece. If this turns out to be the case, then I'll see about having the technical manual amended with this information, as it has been frustrating. Some other things about the metal plates and such that keep the shifter and tie rods all together are likewise different from the later cars, I've noticed.

[Jack the Knife]

Alright, I took it apart again and figured it out. I didn't have the joint properly set in the bushings, and indeed I am missing that rubber piece that goes between the metal plate everything is housed inside and the shift boot itself. The one I have is for like a 280 or something. Works for now. Everything is back together. Now to replace the stripped shift knob...