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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 พ.ย. 2024
- How to remove the one piece automatic shifter shaft and knob on an older Mercedes ..similar procedure for most models with the exception of the console removal which will be different for each model..this was done on a 1991 r129 sl500 follow me on twitter / fupabox
A very good video , i have owned my 129 for twenty years buying it for a belated 50th birthday present for me, Like you i do my own maintenance and this is a welcome addition to my knowledge base. Many thanks Cheshire UK Nov 2023.
I can't even start trying to determine how much money and trouble fupabox has saved me. Thanks from my '96 SL500 (Lucy) and me.
I know this comment is long in the tooth since you last made this instructional video & that my 500SL is now ten more years older but it was still exceptionally helpful to me during & in my more than three hour journey into my shifter hole to hell😂. Radio had to come out and that was a journey in itself of real frustration. But I got it out! I’d been in this upper console area before so I knew how to get the facial console piece out & put to the side - even though the wiring to everything was shorter than expected and I had to really strain to disconnect the lower console buttons. The REAL issue was undoing the shifter knob facial plate😳. Fat fingers would not fit behind the plate to get the second of three tabs to release at all! So I had to think outside the box - so I took a heavy duty wire hanger and needle nose pliers and made a small hook at one end then cut the end at an angle so to grab the tab and jerk upwards. It quickly released its hold and the third tab popped up too. Of course all the shifter knob small pieces came to me (the Park, Reverse labeling etc pieces) but in doing so it gave me a moment to clean them as there had been a coffee or soda spill in the R129’s past that discolored the knobs lighting feature - now it all cleaned up and shines bright. BUT then there was the shifter knob NUT!🤨 32 years of not being touched and it was hard to loosen BUT finally got it loose after Herculean strength. Then of course the lock down nut would not tighten up on the new shifter knob - so off to ACE Hardware and got the proper metric nut to fit my new knob so to lock the shifter in place once I go it in the correct position. At this point I had invested over two hours of frustration into this journey. Fitment wasn’t easy either but I finally got the knob into position and then got the nut to tighten down. Thank goodness I made no mistakes in the order of putting it all back together thanks to your video and warnings you bestowed upon us! AND I broke no plastic parts which is a big one for me - as on my 32 year old classic that comes ever so easy to do. FINALLY, I got it all back in place - radio gave me some trouble but after abit of old man persuasion it gave up on being stuck and went into place as did the climate control unit. PHEW - everything from then on tightened up and looks great. Couldn’t have done it without your video though - must have reversed it a dozen times to make sure I was doing things correctly. I literally pray I do not have to revisit that journey again! BUT I like the outcome of the new shifter knob and it functions perfectly. THANK YOU again for the time you spent long ago to help us out & understand this process. For me - it was a journey… Blessings to you🙏
Hi Fupabox (Craig?) You are Magnificent! I am the proud owner (original) of a 1995 W202 C200 auto trans 722.4 in Malaysia. I cracked the lens on the shift indicator. I found a new lens in UK but until the r129 video about changing the shift knob was unsure how to get the black shift gate cover off to replace the lens. Now clear how to do Thanks to you. Kirk Johnson W202 C200 1995 135,000 km and going strong after 22 years
excellent :)
Nice job, any idea what size the shaft threads are???
Hello Fupa. WAs hoping you could tell me if you made a video for repairing the "sticky shifter" on an R129 ? My shifter sometimes doesn't feel like it's NOT completely in Drive. There's a little play that shouldn't be there and sometimes it get's stuck in drive. When this happens the car does not shift properly. When it's not completely in drive and I slide it to the left to put in gear #4 then slide it back to drive it goes into drive properly/securely. Makes me want to take the shifter apart as I believe there is a plastic part that is known to fail. PLEASE HELP !!!
Exact same thing for me, found one in junk yard and was in the trunk. Put it on my W123 and now that diesel is faster.
lol
I’d pay money for “it’s a bit of a bitch” fupabox shirt to wear working on these just so the neighbors know the situation
lol... :)
Had the same problem with the shift knob on my '90 500SL, the top was just super gross and the material was cracked. I found that on the top of the shift knob, underneath the leather is just rubber. So it you carefully peel the leather off of the top part it just exposes black rubber.
Its a quick fix for an ugly issue. Theres no grain pattern underneath just smooth rubber. It looks a helluva lot better and nobody has noticed the lack of leather yet, so I'd call it a win.
- Chris
+Chris Hobart cool.. simple fix... I never got around to taking the leather off the old one.. it's still in mt garage somewhere :)
And no swearing !!! .... excellent video.
Even the wood can be refinished on these cars. I had a 90 300CE that the center lacquer finish was cracked on almost everything. I sanded it down, re-stained, and covered and polyurethane clear coat.
I have NO IDEA which one I have it's very annoying I need A new shifter knob it's got that weird thing you're supposed to twist first but it does NOT twist the entire thing moves around. Please help. I don't know what else to do
amazing video, i don't know how you do it. i wouldn't have the patients.. i had a problem with my windscreen wiper on merc c180 1999 or 2000 cant remember. but i attempted to replace the motor in the single wiper but was as per guides i found, was too complicated for me at the time.. how pro you are is awesome.
I can't get enough purchase on that nut. Any advice? Imusing a small 15mm wrench. The nut seems to be shredding. I cant get around it?
I had the gear in P. Maybe N will give me more purchase?
UPDATE: I did it. Thank you so much!. It looks awesome.
Fupabox, do you still have the red SL or the black one? In your opinion is there a better or year for acquiring an SL500? I know you try to buy one owner cars, do you also consider low mileage (like
+David Browne In my opinion the earliest SLs are the best built (pre 1993) they have the least computerized controls and are easiest to fix and diagnose. The roof for example is controlled by a series of relays activated by microswitches to signal each phase of roof opening and closing. If the relay box (control module) goes bad, it can usually be fixed with a soldering iron and a magnifying glass. The interior on the early models is better built and has the locking door pockets and center console that the newer models had removed to save build cost. The chassis, suspension, driveline components are from the old w124 300e..one of the most reliable cars ever built, also cheap and easy to maintain. The only shortcoming on the older models is the 4 speed auto tranny.. not as quick shifting as the 5 speed, and higher revving.. but that just lets you hear the wicked V8 screaming like an F1 car on the highway :) Pre 1993 cars didn't suffer from the wiring harness falling apart in the engine compartment. I parted out the black 500sl, and this past summer I sold the red one to help finance another investment property. I had it for 4 summers and never had any real issues..loved that car and hated to see it go. The good thing is there are always 100s of cars on my list to own before I croak, and unlike Jay Leno I can't have them all at the same time. I've owned around 120 cars and see no end to the madness :)
+fupabox Dear lord, I've owned around 35 and thought I was addicted! Sorry to hear the red one is gone. I really wanted that car and watch all your reruns of the R129:) Thanks for the advice. I have an 05 CLK55 that I love but it doesn't have the personality of an older Mercedes.
Hi Again.. while replacing the lens I plan to repair the shifter boot.. I want to grease the shifter ball as it is exposed now below the shifter shaft nut. Can i use lithium Grease Or? Thanks
lithium is fine , so is synthetic or silicone grease
could you please show mw how to manuelly open the sunroof on 85 380se in the trunk does it require special tool please
Thanks for the video. Did you ever figure out what that small square connector was for which you thought may have been for a light?
it was for a light in the storage compartment
I know this video is a few years old. but to clean that shift lever you could use magic eraser. I used it to clean a leather steering wheel. Just a little info for next time
Where do you guys buy your car parts? I have a 1991 SL 500 and I cannot find any parts for it.
rockauto used parts ebay
My 1997 Mercedes c230 key will not turn. I need to tow it to the shop. How do I get it into neutral so the vehicle can be towed.
Clarence Perdue see post #3 easier for you than reading my long winded explanation :) mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w210/316922-help-shifter-stuck-park.html
Thank U for the hard evidence that there is real wood in that console. "Not Top Gear" should see this!! Then again, he wont admit he is wrong or ignorant about other facts about the Mercedes SL he tested.
Hi,what is the B shift?
For those of you out there that see this comment, I posted a long video on how to remove the W124 dash and how to replace the vacuum actuator pods for the climate control. th-cam.com/video/0SU6CFb0W7s/w-d-xo.html
Just trying to spread the word. Note that there are only 2 PN's left of the 6 PN's that are available from Mercedes or aftermarket. On the dual diaphgram pods you can buy one of the two pods that are available, remove their arms (white plastic just snaps it on), and you can take off the old arm from the old pod and transfer it to the new pod. NOTE: This trick only works on the dual diaphgram pods. Last resort you can get just the rubber diaphgram inside the pod that you can replace at a place called Performance Analysis in Tennessee, although you can't order on their website. You have to call them. Their part numbers for the two different diaphgrams are 2010 and 2020. On the W124 and W126, you can use one of their diaphgrams on the "center" pod, which is a single diaphragm. They are inexpensive, not sure how long they will be in business from the conversation I had with them. . Get a bunch and store them the rest of your life!
Hi what size thread is on the nob? M12 or 10? Thanks
I wish I could recall 100% for certain .. I would say M10.
@@fupabox thank you
Great video man, i have just one question. I see that you've done this on a 1991, i have a 1994 E320, and i'm wondering if its a similar process or is there something completely different?
+Nicholas Lambert 1994 e320 is almost exactly the same...the shifter is slightly different (longer by a centimeter or so)
+fupabox sweet, thanks for the great video
How can you remove the switch for the convertible top?
you have to remove the centre console wood panel . The switch is attached from underneath the panel
Thank you for another great video.
What year and model Mercedes did you get the wooden knob from ?
You did a great job on restoring the wooden knob.
I bought a very nice twist type wooden knob on eBay for my 1995 SL320.
Best
Regards
If I remember correctly it was an old w124 300e . Late 1980s
LoL This is easy. Try changing a transmission in one of these cars. But it's good that he uploaded a video. Sometimes I can't do that. Due to time or I'm too greasy and dirty to want to touch the camera.
Thanks for your help! Very systematic! Very useful and well-explained when I acquainted myself with that leather covered knob (which looked the same as in this video) what the **§$$'!! did those drivers (pre-owners) have on their hands?
Regarding the wood - that sounds like Ford speak. I used to have a Ford with plastic "wood"
it's real wood . about 1/2 mil of it veneered onto plywood and aluminum . lol
@@fupabox oh, i know. and it costs a fortune to refurbish too 😎 been there done that
All job done by army...cool video
Is it the Same for w201?
yes
fupabox wow so fast thx a lot i will change it on my W201 that i purchaised yesterday , iam excited ty so much.
I saw a 2001 SL500 get sold at Meachum(?) Auction for $11k USD w/ low miles. I want an R129 now
very useful, thanks
That's not grease on the shifter. The outer leather cover looks like it wore off and in effect you have the "suede" shifter. lol
Thanks for The "how to" Video I was thinking of buying some wood shift knobs for my 95 e300d and 83 240d
+Dan Valdez lol very possible it was worn past the outer layer,, then slime covered :)
+Chile Lindo :)
Another great Video! Anyway here we have a $100K car new and they put a Phillips screw in plain sight when you open the compartment how tacky! Mine is the same and I thought some dip switch put a dam screw to hold the liner in...here it was the mfg that did it?
Quote from MB for replacement wood trim panel....$4,000.00cdn !!
Thank you :) I will see if it will work the same way on 1993 W140. I have the same old shift knob ... it is pissing me much -__-
+Faisal x___x it should be the same on your w140
Good Job!!!
Also look up "r129 centerconsole removal01"
wow...did NOT know that was real wood....wow.
Best way to remove scratches from it???
very fine furniture polish....Be careful with it though...no heavy abrasives..Being real wood ,they are very expensive to replace ($3-4 k new ...$600 + used )
sunroof motor to open sunroof manuelly
Wish it was as easy for a w126
Jesus Christmas, that is a hell of a lot of work . Amazing how over engineered that is.
Ha ha .. this video was a joy
Swamp Monster LOL!
i wish i could just remove the know without changing the entire assembly i just got a removable knob from a 99 that i want to put in my 95
you can gently cut the old knob off in pieces..it will just leave the chrome shaft once its all off..the 99 knob will need a bit of glue or silicone to keep it in place, but will otherwise be fine
Sweet thats mean my trip to salvage yard didnt go to waste. thanks
I'm gonna make a video on my channel called For Fupabox so you and see for yourself
th-cam.com/video/lIfpNDWThxY/w-d-xo.html
Here is the video Fupa
Nicotine...
yes ..that is very possible
U talk to much, try getting to the project faster
Wish it was as easy for a w126
yeah the w126 is a bit harder,not too bad though