CL-Class (W215) 2000-2006: CL 500, CL 600

Shift bushing replacement for w215

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Dec 15, 2018 | 06:40 PM
  #1  
ctravis595's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 171
2002 CL500 to CL55 conversion
Shift bushing replacement for w215

Situation/symptoms
So the other day I pulled in the car and put it in Park. The shifter felt weird and when I released my foot from the brake, the car continued to lurch forward as if it was still in gear! I also had a rattling noise coming from underneath the car that was fixed with these new bushings. Turns out my clips were just dangling around with no bushings.

So I figured I might need to replace the clips and bushing on my shifter assembly. I'm not going to be covering the tools/procedure to remove the center console since there are other instructions available for this matter specifically

Tools
-two new bushings
-two new clips
-12-14" extension needle nose pliers, preferably with a curve at the end like these
https://png2.kisspng.com/sh/a2b3ac1d...0613704825.png
-pick tool, with hooked end

Repair
To replace the bushing and clip on the underside of the shifter, you'll have to disassemble the entire center console....including the radio and everything. there are many videos online regarding the removal of the center console on this car so i won't be covering that

Follow the instructions the same as you would for replacing your shifter. To replace the bushing and clip it's easiest to do this with the shifter removed. You cannot access this first set of bushing/clips from the underside of the car.

First get underneath the car and disconnect the shift linkage from the transmission. It can be done with a pair of extension needle nose pliers, or pried apart with a flathead screwdriver. If your car has 100k miles I'll bet your bushing has completely disappeared like mine

With the shifter removed, the rubber and clip are pretty straight forward to install. Make sure you install the bushing first into the hole, then slide the new clip over the top of the "arm" that protrudes from the shifter

Now that you have installed this first bushing, you'll understand how difficult it is to install the bushing on the transmission....

Attach the shift linkage to the shifter assembly. From here you can slide your shift linkage into the opening in the transmission tunnel forward, until you are able to get your shifter back into its natural position. Once this is in place you can re attach the three Hex screws holding down the shift assembly.

Surgery time
Now time for the hard part....

Hopefully you have a lift and have invested in the special tool (linked below) for this bushing as there is only enough room to fit in a few fingers...its a very very annoying process for only $3 worth of parts....The transmission should be in Neutral in order to have the right spacing to install the shift linkage. It will help to have someone in the car slightly manipulating the shifter in different directions to get everything to line up perfectly. You won't have room to manipulate everything from under the car without removing other components like the chassis cross member, exhaust hangers etc

I decided to skip investing in the tool since I knew I'd only use it once... so I fought with this bottom bushing for hours while underneath the car

Eventually the tools that helped me place the bushing was a pair of 14" extension needle nose pliers. To get the clip in place I used a hooked pick and also the needle nose pliers again. Like I said, there won't be room to get in there with your hands, all of this must be done with good lighting and tools and concentration

Reply
Old Jan 1, 2019 | 01:28 PM
  #2  
ctravis595's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 171
2002 CL500 to CL55 conversion

These are the part numbers for the clips and bushings. However I recommend double checking with your local dealership about fitment
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2019 | 01:30 PM
  #3  
ctravis595's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 171
2002 CL500 to CL55 conversion
Another side note

if you are nearing 100k miles, consider doing this job as “routine maintenance” as like I said, this linkage can fall apart and leave you stranded some day. One of my biggest goals with the W215 was to make it into a car that never leaves you stranded(hence my quickness to ditch abc suspension)
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:31 AM.

story-0
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's updated GLE 63 S and GLS 63 bring a new-generation V8, subtle design revisions, and familiar supercar-rivaling performance figures.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-17 12:52:51


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-2
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-3
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-5
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-7
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE