Looking under the car, by 1977, Mercedes had gone to a better design.   As well as the plastic bushing, there was a metal clip to stop the linkage failing altogether.  Given this had a 115 part number, this was most likely introduced in 1968.    As can be seen in the photo below – the bushing had mostly failed, but the metal clip is keeping it in place.

Comparing old and new, unlike the catastrophic failure on the 250SE, the 450’s bushing had only partially failed, making the car still usable, but the gear stick selection vague.

Installation of the new bushing was straightforward.  The bushing can be popped back into place with a bushing press and the metal clip just clips back on.   I was able to re-use the old metal clip, as it was still in perfectly good condition.

If your gear stick is floppy or vague, this is a quick and easy repair to do as there is the risk that the car may not be in the gear you think it is, when this bushing has failed.   Worst case you think your car is in part, and in fact it is not.

There are two of these gear selector bushings.  the lower one that is seen in the picture and an upper one near the gearstick.

The post 450SLC Transmission linkage appeared first on Classic Jalopy.

They looked like the right part and had a 112 part number, so seemed correct.   Like the lower one, it was quite an easy fitting.

It is also important to re-connect the neutral safety switch.   All seemed fine, but after a test drive, the lower end of the linkage fell off again.   I put it back on, so either:

1. I loosened it putting the upper bushing on
2. I have used the wrong bushing
3. I have fitted it incorrectly

I will need to try again and see what happens.

The post 250SE Auto transmission linkages part 2 appeared first on Classic Jalopy.

After I had used the 250SE as a wedding car, one of the bushings for the linkages broke, so today my job was to fit the new ones I had ordered.   This isn’t particularly difficult, but slightly harder on the cabriolet due to the transmission tunnel brace.   I had previously parked the car by using a bulldog clip to hold the linkages in place temporarily.

The new bushing went on pretty easily, thanks to the special set of bushing pliers I had purchased.

A test drive showed everything working properly, until the next bushing up the lever disintegrated and I was left with the shift linkage on the ground under the car.    Yet again, a bulldog clip came to the rescue to park the car.

Next will be to take a look at this bushing and see if I can get it replaced.

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