backbeat

Hello,

I recently developed a squeak in my '01 E55, shifter assembly. I noticed for the last few months or so, the there was some extra play in the shifter lever. It was slight. I decided to pull off the panel to see if there was an obvious piece that was loose. Nothing was obvious, so I put it back together. I may have the sequence of events wrong, but if I remember correctly, the squeak developed or intensified, after I pulled off the panel. Yet, after driving around with the panel loose on top of the console, the noise is still there.

From what I have read, some suggest replacing bushings that are underneath the vehicle. It appears that the noise is in the assembly itself, and not near the cable/linkage.

The shifter will not rattle when I rest my hand on it, while driving. It will also squeak, if I stab at the brakes; lightly, as I'm getting ready to stop the car. It squeaks over bumps in the road. I mentioned rattle in the title, but it is really a squeak.

Looking on Pelican Parts, I see that they sell the whole assembly, for $629.00. Are there user serviceable bushings or parts within the assembly? I have not yet take it apart, so I'm not sure.

Hopefully someone has some ideas or suggestions. Thank you.

backbeat

Strigoi

My shifter was loose and had some play in it due to it missing the clip thing on the linkage. It felt like new after my mechanic stuck a new one on.

backbeat

Strigoi,

I assume this clip is on the underside of the car. Correct? I need to get out a stethoscope and check, but I'm pretty sure it sounds like it's coming from the shifter assembly, and not from underneath.

desired_speeds

shift linkage bushing. They tend to disintegrate and fall out over the years. Grab a new one and pop it in underneath the car, its quite easy.

503C43 ////AMG

I'm not positive the shifter assembly is the same between the C43 and E55 but I am sure they are similar. I took mine apart and replaced the shift linkage bushing. I kind of wrote up a little "how to", here is the link:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...or-lights.html

hope this helps

backbeat

Thank you for your responses! Thank you, 503C43 (clever name) for the link to the repair process. It makes sense that it's the bushing. I thought the squeak originated in the box, but I can see the metal rubbing together on the linkage, making that sound. I'm ordering the part, and I'll take it apart from the top-side. Thank you!

Drewloera

The only ratteling in my car is the center cup holder.

503C43 ////AMG

That bushing is less than $5 from the dealership...

backbeat

Thank you (all) again, for your help. It's done, and working well. The bushing cost me $1.50 at Pelican Parts. I also purchased from them, a pedal position sensor, and a camshaft position sensor. I'll post the sensor results in the other thread I used.

The pictures of the ML were helpful, as I could see there was enough play in the linkage, to pull out the shifter; part way. The bushing was missing. I just need to put the console back together. Thanks again!