Awesome pictures and explanation! Thanks.

 

Great write-up as usual, G! Where's the Hazet gloves?

Good timing as well, I just ordered this part and will be replacing it soon, maybe this weekend. Good tips about the 1st gear position and the pliers.

Cheers.

 

Benzboy,

Another "cute" tool is this Bushing Installation Pliers:


eBay Motors: BMW Mercedes Transmission Bushings Repair New Tool (item 120349670075 end time Jan-12-09 06:53:04 PST)

Apparently it was designed by a MB tech.

I've never had a problem installing the bushings on any of the vehicles. I do, though, put a bit of Meguires Rubber and Plastic Cleaner to lube things up a bit.

Oh, the gloves are on the trolley.... I wasn't touching any chemicals, so I thought I would go "au natural".

 

Hope this helps someone.

It does. Thanks!

One question: Is that a paper decal/sticker with a barcode on your driveshaft? You'd think it would cause some vibration...unless it's meant to be there as a weight

 

No vibration.

I drove the car right out of the Sindelfingen (Stuttgart) factory... so that is how the car was "born".

I noticed the same stickerson the W140, and W463 as well... also newborns to me... :^)

 

3 years ago when I brought my wagon in for the harmonic balancer recall, I was phoned and asked if I wanted the shift bushing replaced while they were at it. I was busy and said sure go ahead..... $178...... 1.5 hours of labor!

 

OUCH!!

I think the parts from the dealer cost me a whoaping $1.50.... and 1.5 hours?? WOW!

With the right tools, once you are underneath, it is a 5 minute job.

Hearing stories like that makes me sick to my stomach!!

Dude, sorry you got bungholio'd

At least next time you can do it yourself.

Since both the W140 and the W210 bushings died exactly at 120,000 miles.... I will have a ballpark idea how long they last..... Hmmm, now that I think about it, both cars' engine mounts died at the same time..... perhaps they are some kind of weird Siamese twins....

 

The dealership told me that there are two bushings. One is missing and the other is about to break.

The following link provides pictures showing the location of the other bushing. (It's not for W210, however, it probably have a similar structure.)

Most importantly, this link provided a very important safety warning when working on a gear selecter.

Replacing Shift Linkage Bushing

If you're replacing one bushing, it maybe necessary to examine the other one.

Maybe G-AMG can confirm that there are indeed two bushings for W210.

When ordering for bushings, autohausaz recommended ordering the retaining clip.

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/product.aspx?sid=fj0xzeevib4r3wbinqawm03k&partnumber=0009944160

 

Replace shift linkage bushings



Your first link for bushing replacement does not show the contents, it says lost.
I like to see where the other bushing is located?

 

Is this when the shifter feels kind of different or loose when you move it? And the squeaking noise when you go over bumps? About how much would it be to get this done?

 

Cerritos,

Sure, there is more than one bushing in the selector system, but personally I have not heard of the others failing.

Perhaps it is because the bushing in my DIY (Part # 89 in the attachment below) is OUTSIDE the vehicle, and "near" the exhaust system?? In fact it is right on the edge of the heat shield (which is the reason why it is better to put the shifter into 1st gear, so it projects the shifter arm anteriorly, and away from the heat shield).

Peter,

I had all three symptoms-- 1--the metalic "CLUNK" when shifting from Park to Reverse or Drive,

2==the "Rattle" under the shifter over rough roads.....

3-- the slight "loosey-goosey" feel to the selector.

The same situation on the W140 when it's bushing went.... but this would make sense... same transmission and same gear selector..

 

Sure, there is more than one bushing in the selector system, but personally I have not heard of the others failing.
..

That will make the repair much easier. Thanks.

Perhaps it is because the bushing in my DIY (Part # 89 in the attachment below) is OUTSIDE the vehicle, and "near" the exhaust system?? In fact it is right on the edge of the heat shield ..

That makes sense and explains why only that one fails.

(Part # 89 in the attachment below)

Attachment?

 

Mia Culpa!

Cerritos,

Sorry, my bad.

Here's the attachment. The two part numbers you need are 89 and 149 .

G

 

hey guys, thanks for posting the useful info. i was wondering, can item numbers 89 and 149 also be used on the w124? or do they use a different sized bushing?

thanks

 

Different car + different transmission = different bushing and retaining clip, the bushing is 1159920310 and the clip is 0009944160, you can find them easily enough online, autohausaz.com has them but shipping will eat up any savings. If you need other stuff they ship free when you spend $50, otherwise, just get the bushing and clip at the dealer.

Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg

 

thanks for the speedy reply, and for the bushing and clip numbers, i'm off to see the dealer tomorrow!

 

G-AMG,
Thank a lot for such of detailed manual. I just replaced this bushing on my car.

First I planned to use this "complicated" press.

But it was impossible to install it in that narrow area. And finally as alternative for fancy MB-tool press I used the pliers and... bubble gum. I put nut as example.

 

Love that last pic Bansai! :thumbsup:

I've got that part (bushing) and I need to get around to installing it, maybe this week. I'll pick up some Double Bubble before I start...

 

Interesting. I noticed that loose linkage when I was under there this morning (replaced catalytic converter, front flex disc and was in the process of replacing tranny mount but replacement was defective).

Good thing I need to go under there again.

 

Finally...I replaced the bushing yesterday. Very easy job. Took about 15 minutes total.

My original bushing had basically sheared in half. If you have a higher mileage W210, your bushing is probably gone as well, or on its way out.

The rattle I had in my shifter at 120 Km/h is gone, as is any play in the shifter. It now feels very smooth and precise and firm!

Thanks again for all for the DIY efforts. The tip about putting the shifter into the '1' position is helpful, this really facilitates access to the bushing. Just make sure the vehicle is secured before you shift out of park!

 

I have a clunk coming from the middle to back of my wagon.
I went to the garage and they verified and nothing is loose under the car.
Could it be this bushing? I have 160000KM on the car.Thank-You

 

Do you know if they SPECIFICALLY looked at the bushing? Mine made a good "CLUNK" during shifting...

It only takes a few minutes to have a look at the bushing...

 

gear shift bushing



on symptoms, does it also include of its hard to take out key from park position?

 

I have actually had to replace the front bushing many more times than i have had to replace the rear bushing and it is not nearly as easy to do with the transmission in the vehicle.

 

Transmission



Hi Kyle,

I posted today on the same subject, the front bushing with tranny in vehicle. How do you manage a replacement? Thx.

 

I replaced it and now i the problem is sometimes it wont start. it seems like the stick shifter is not reading the right P,R,N,D,3,2,1. and some time wont go or reverse coz its not reading right or whatever. Please help...thank you so much in advance

 

I have replaced the bushing and now my problem is its hard to start. i have to play aroung with the shifter until it start..but what happened when it start when you put it to DRIVE, REVERSE or 3,2,1? the car won't GO.... you have to play again with the shifter until you feel the kicks and then the car will go. it feels like that its not a transmission problem. its more like on the placements of shifter or maybe some kind of sensor please help. I dont know what to do now..Thank you in Advance

 

Sir JJ, is it possible that you have inadvertently moved the position of the shift lock or the shift rod while replacing the bushing? Maybe the shift connectors have moved somewhat during the bushing replacement. It is not likely a tranny problem, but maybe a mechanical one related to the linkage. Hope the gurus will chime in on this one.

On another note, I finally figured out how to access the other bushing underneath the shifter. This can be done by removing the center console inside the car, as well as the entire shifter assembly afterwards. Upon lifting the shifter assembly the linkage can be clearly seen and easily accessible. Since mine was still intact I just left it alone.

Before lifting the center console please remember to remove the two screws under the carpeting in the console box:

 

Thanks for your reply bossing....so what do i need to do now? is it out of my hand now or still need to try? tell what i need to adjust....

 

Hi,

I saw the step-by-step photos for replacement of shift lever bushings. Thx. Wondering though about the approach to same bushing on the other end of the rod...the gear selector lever.

Evidently earlier models allowed the removal of the gear selector lever by simple removal of a 10mm bolt. Lever to a bench, press in bushing using special tools or not. But on the 1995 C280, chassis W202, I find no way to remove the gear selector level thus making space the ONLY issue.

I've seen special bushing installation pliers advertised, but not certain even those have enough room to work. Anyone have experience with a C280 workaround?

 

Franken-tool

I have to admit right off the bat I am somewhat anal about things. Why pay good money for something I know I can make myself. Having encountered the same problem wherein I needed to replace the shift bushing and reading this thread I knew I could make a tool that would do the same thing with spare parts in the garage. Yes- I will spend hours on something just because spending the money is offensive to me.

After thinking about how to accomplish the goal of seating the bushing in a tight space with limited access I came up with the following tool. It cost me no money as the parts were freely available in my garage. I suspect if you had to buy them the cost might be a few dollars.

The time involved was about fifteen minutes total (minus drying time of the epoxy). Basically, the tool consists of two washers, a piece of 3/4 inch copper pipe cut about 3/8 inch in length, a wing nut and a screw 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 inch in length the same size as the hole in the washers.

I placed the screw head in a vice, slid the washer down and seated on the head then slid the copper pipe down onto the washer. I then poured a small amount of epoxy in the copper pipe to secure the washer, pipe and screw together.

Next I took a ball-peen hammer and shaped the second washer slightly concave to hold the bushing in place as the tool works. I did this on a scrap piece of pine wood.

To use, take the assembled screw/washer/pipe and place on one side of the shift rod with the screw poking through the hole. Now, while holding in place, put the bushing on the threaded screw on the opposite side of the shift rod. Then put the washer on the screw with the concave face toward the bushing. Now just tighten a few turns with the wing nut and the new bushing is pressed in place.

Also, to install the clip which holds shaft to the arm, just take four pennies pushing two stacked in each side of the clip to hold it open. When the clip is slid into place, remove the pennies.

Easy as Pi.

 

Ingenious!!:bowdown:

Kajtek, he's giving you a run for the money for own inventions.

 

I would just cut the bushing in a 45 degree angle, since it's not a continuous circle any more, squeeze it to a smaller diameter, insert it, and let it restore to the original shape/size.

The cut will not affect its function in any bit. any direction you move the lever, it will hold.

 

Hi, anyone manage to replace the bushing from inside the car. I found great picture in this site but I'm still not confident of doing it from inside. I tried to go underneath the car, it seems almost impossible to replace due to tight space and I need to pull the exhaust silencer down in order to do this. Tq

 

Did you try placing the Gear selector in FIRST gear?? This advances the Bushing FORWARD, and makes it easier to access..