u/wenonahrider

I removed the little bracket that connects the transmission to the shift rod. It wasn't too bad to pull it off, and it was much easier to install the bushing with it on the bench. I used the same little rig I used for the rear, and it worked well.

When I went to reinstall it was when it got fun. I reinstalled the bracket with no issues but couldn't get the shift rod to fully seat in the bushing and the groove for the clip was not visible. After looking closer, I discovered two spots of weld on the transmission end of my shift linkage rod. There was some cobbled up washers and homemade metal bushings on there, so I'm betting whoever did that put a couple of tacks on the rod to keep that whole situation from just sliding around the corner.

I'm going to have to grind that down so I had to pull the rod. I really didn't want to, because getting that clip on the shifter end yesterday was no fun at all.

Just posting because you guys get it. Eventually I will drive this thing more than 50 miles without having to do some major work.

I'm still on my quest to quell the weird shimmy / vibration in my 85 300D. I ordered a transmission mount plus a set of shift linkage bushings and a set of shifter bushings from Mercedes source. I did not order the bushing install tool. If I was planning on doing these every year I certainly would.

Last week I noticed a small puddle on the garage floor under the trunk. Since I was planning on doing the trans mount and shift bushings this weekend I figured I'd take a look at it then. I really thought it was a fuel leak since I replaced the tank screen and fuel line last month. (Maybe two months ago? I dunno ..)

Anyway... got the car up on jackstands all the way around and slid under to take a look. Good news.. the tank isn't leaking. Bad news.. it's the rear end.

I was a little concerned about this because the PO ( or maybe the one before him, this car has an ownership history like Black Beauty) replaced the pass side axle and there is a weird replacement bolt holding the diff cover on... But, it wasn't leaking so I figured it was good. Well now it appears to be leaking. I'm not 100% sure but it looks like the pass side seal as well as the driveshaft seal.

So I'll be youtubing axle/rear end stuff to study up on that process.

Im halfway through the shift linkage bushings and the trans mount. I made a little press out of a 1/4-20 bolt, a couple washers and a bit of pvc pipe for the rear (shifter side) bushing and it worked well. Getting the clip back on was a real pain in the ass though. The trans mount bolts are broken loose and I'm planning on replacing it and the front bushing tomorrow. I think I'll remove the piece that the bushing goes into, there's not enough room for the little tool I made with it installed in the car. BTW, I'm glad I'm doing the bushings, the originals were long gone and somebody had just used misc washers and hardware to take up the free space.

Making progress I guess.

Small diameter rubber line running from a hard line connection on the turbo housing down to a clamped connection underneath. It looks cracked at the lower connection. Searches all bring results for the high pressure hard line.

You can also see my fresh new engine mount photo bombing pic 3....

Passenger side went well (so far) got the old mount removed and new one loosely installed with the two small bolts.

Drivers side.. the big bolt and the outboard small (6mm) came out ok. The inner 6mm took 24hrs, a lot of Kroil, a lot of cursing and some "custom" tool setups to get loose, but in the end I was triumphant and got it out without stripping it.

Hard part over, right? Not so fast.. The Old drivers side mount was so destroyed it came out in pieces. Trying to slide the new one in and it won't fit, it's too tall. I can't jack the engine up any more because the engine mount is hitting the PS hardline right where it bends to go in the box.

It's been a long weekend of working on this, and I'm not sure where to go from here. I guess I have to disconnect that PS hose, and it's old, which means it'll be stuck, then it'll break, etc... etc...

Really just a vent, but if anyone out there has any tips for how to get out of this.... I'm listening!

1990 Grand Wagoneer with early '70's Grumman in about 2001 and '17 Outback with Wenonah Champlain in 2025.

I posted a couple weeks ago about the weird stuff in my fuel filter. I just drained the tank and the strainer doesn't look bad at all. I'm waiting for my endoscope to charge so I can take a look inside.

This being my first diesel, I'm not sure what color diesel fuel is supposed to be, but this is what came out of the tank. It is dark, but I don't see any chunks in it.

I purchased a bottle each of Power service clear diesel tank cleaner and bio kleen. I also picked up two cans of diesel purge, but I'm going to wait on that until I can keep clean filters.

I do have a new tank strainer, fuel hose that screws into the tank strainer, cigar hose, and several each of the 2 filters under the hood.

I guess we'll see what the endoscope shows, but I dont think I'll have to pull the tank based on what I'm seeing so far.