Gear change - taking out of reverse causes it to jam up
Hi all,
I'm having some issues with the gear change on my '87 300GD. It was very sloppy and often got clogged/jammed up, so I replaced all the different bushings, clips etc. to get it a bit smoother and it really helped, but it's still getting jammed up when I try and take it out of reverse (sometimes). You can see from the photos attached - the first is what neutral looks like (all there gear rods are in a straight line). Then the next photo is when I've taken it out of reverse using the gear stick and it gets jammed. You can see it should look like the first photo, but the reverse/5th gear rod is not in the correct position. I presume there is something in the mechanism that is causing it not to pop out when I do so with the gear stick.
Has anyone had this issue before? Is it a case of a new mechanism where the gear stick goes into needed or would some adjusting do the trick?
Also, I'm looking for the following parts: (I have a diesel tank in great condition if anyone needs one)
- Door handle
- Set of arches
- Battery securing rods, bolts etc.
- Back bumpers (for each side)
- Passenger side headlight surround
- Diff lock knob X 2
- Headlight switch
- Drivers side wiper arm and spring
Any advice much appreciated :-)
Brian
You need to check the bushes for play (both ends) replace any that are loose, then adjust the length of the rods so the levers on the shifter are all perpendicular and lined up properly
If you still have an iffy change you may need to rebuild the shifter or source a good used one.
Cheers Gordon
Have you sprayed around gearstick with spray grease etc? Or stripped the shift mechanism?
Haven't done grease yet - the thinking behind this was I wanted to make sure it wasn't jamming up before I put grease all over it as this would transfer to me pretty quickly!
It was a local garage that were giving it a service and I asked them to have a look at the linkages. I don't think they were too G familiar unfortunately and as the saying goes if you want something done right, do it yourself. I'll have to strip out the mechanism and see what it's like inside.
Pity as it's really just taking it out of reverse where the issue is - other than that the gear change has never been better..
Are the linkages adjusted properly?
When you say adjusted properly, what do you mean/how can I tell?
When it is in neutral I can easily move the gear stick from left to right, this suggests they are all in a correct line underneath - would that suffice?
Look underneath and see if the levers are all in a line and vertical from the floor
Hi Brady
Use the dowel pin i spoke of or a drill bit to line up rods
Dis connect linkage rods at box
Fit dowel pin through levers showing under car to lock them in place to gearstick housing
Refit and adjust rods if needed to box so they slide on easily!!
If there is any play in selctor rods at gearbox just gauge the middle of any free play
I have a perfect gearstick and housing if you need one, i doubt you will
I wont as i have a 6 speed in mine now and wont be changing back any time soon
Its dry tomo so get under and check it out. Its a simple job
If it still sticks in reverse its the dox as all rods will be correctly factory set using this method
Its the same for all 3 linkage rod mercedes boxes
I am sure the box will be good unless it has over selected the baulk ring many times in box
Check oil level in box too while youre under car
Regards Gaz
Thanks guys, that's on the to do list this Saturday!!
Being remote from you can mean I ask some of the stupidest questions to understand your issue.
Lets move away from the gearbox selectors for the moment; Describe the clutch pedal action; have you a solid pedal?
Is gear selection easier whilst on the move, i.e. engine running or switched off engine?
Do any gears change smoothly or they crash?
What gear box oil are you using mineral ATF?
Is your problem a recent development or gradually fruitioned?
Do the gears positively engage upon gear lever movement?
Is it a positive feeling disengaging from reverse?
Does the gear lever jump out from any selected gear?
Feed back please.
Being remote from you can mean I ask some of the stupidest questions to understand your issue.
Sure :-)
Lets move away from the gearbox selectors for the moment; Describe the clutch pedal action; have you a solid pedal?
Clutch pedal is perfect, recently changed master cylinder so all bleed and good to go
Is gear selection easier whilst on the move, i.e. engine running or switched off engine?
Makes no difference whether moving or not
Do any gears change smoothly or they crash?
Yes, they are all good except the 5th/reverse gear/rod and only taking it out of reverse causes the issue
What gear box oil are you using mineral ATF?
Not 100% but I did change the oil when I got it and did a full fluid replacement, probably due again now that I think about it
Is your problem a recent development or gradually fruitioned?
Gradual, but I have experienced the same issue with my other G, so think they might be prone to issues with the gear linkages jamming up..
Do the gears positively engage upon gear lever movement?
Not 100% I understand this one, but yes I think so
Is it a positive feeling disengaging from reverse?
When the linkage works correctly, yes it is a positive feeling, but when it doesn't come out there is obviously nothing positive about it!
Does the gear lever jump out from any selected gear?
Nope
Thanks for all the help folks.
I am waiting on your email address as I have a diagram possibly of use to your case.
Basically looking down from your gear selector lever there are three selector links that come downwards. In each of these links is bored a 6 mm diameter hole. Insert a 6- mm drill bit across these bores which will lock the selector rods before you start measuring the selector link rods.
The datum point for rod measurement is the line from where the bell housing mates to the gear box body at the front end to the centre line of the gear selector link eyelet on the gear box. When the diagram gets to you it should be clear.
Whilst an assistant working the gear lever in all gears (engine switched off) would you see how the gear box selectors behave at the gearbox side. What you will be looking for is excessive lateral movement of the spigot coming out of the gearbox cover. Should there be lateral movement here this would throw out the effective selector link adjustment our thus causing your problem.
Cheers Pistonhead, I got similar advice from another member regarding the drill bit technique..
Stay tuned for updates!
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Cheers Gordon, the fact I've replaced all the bushings in the linkages/rods etc. I think the next thing to replace is the shifter mechanism - but after looking online for prices, I don't fancy forking out on one!!