Gaiter removal

[jeffreyli86]

Hi all,
I am thinking about changing the gaiter of my car (W124 E220, Year 1994) due to 2 very irritating problems.
Firstly, I figured that, under moderate acceleration, the gaiter will vibrate and give off this buzzy sound. I know it is from the gaiter because if I push the gaiter slightly when the noise is audible, it would stop.
Does anyone know the cure for this?

Secondly, the chrome bit of the gaiter stick is really dirty where it is impossible to reach (under the plastic showing PRND etc).

However, my first priority is not to change the gaiter as I have other plans for the car with the limited amount of cash available. So, it would be really nice if anyone could provide me with a solution as to how to stop the buzzing, and secondly, to remove the PRND32 plastic so I can give it a thorough clean.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Brian WH]

Hi all,
I am thinking about changing the gaiter of my car (W124 E220, Year 1994) due to 2 very irritating problems.
Firstly, I figured that, under moderate acceleration, the gaiter will vibrate and give off this buzzy sound. I know it is from the gaiter because if I push the gaiter slightly when the noise is audible, it would stop.
Does anyone know the cure for this?

Secondly, the chrome bit of the gaiter stick is really dirty where it is impossible to reach (under the plastic showing PRND etc).

However, my first priority is not to change the gaiter as I have other plans for the car with the limited amount of cash available. So, it would be really nice if anyone could provide me with a solution as to how to stop the buzzing, and secondly, to remove the PRND32 plastic so I can give it a thorough clean.

Thanks,
Jeff

Are you sure it is the Gaiter??? I had a 190E that used to do that and it was the gear knob vibrating. Can be tightened with the nut underneath. Worth Checking it mate.

 

[andy_k]

it would be unlikely for the gaiter to rattle it's far more likely to be something on the gear lever, at best it's just the locknut that's worked loose or something that's attached to the shaft which will become immediately apparent when you remove it to get the gaiter off the car. If it's not that then it will require slightly more surgery - Not wishing to look on the dark side I'll come back to that one in a minute

To remove the gaiter you need to remove the lever as the top is moulded on) so start by removing the carpet in the centre tray and unscrewing the bracket which holds the wooden trim in place. Lift the trim firmly and evenly and it will come away with the top half of the mirror adjusting switch attached.

You should now be able to see a plastic "box" which houses the gear shift. You need to open this up, the top is held in place with two locating lugs at either side of the case then it just lifts free. Make sure you don't lose any bits from the display or the W/S switch - there is a little white locator that can easily be mislaid. You should now be able to see the base of the gear shift - undo the locknut and the lever simply unscrews.

Reassembly is the reverse but i'd advise changing the light bulb in there which illuminates the display as it will save you a job at sometime in the future

Andy.

Worse case scenario for the rattle is a bush on the selector mechanism which is known to wear out and give exactly the symptoms you are hearing. If that is suspect you must get it changed it may seem minor but if it fails things can get messy.

Q does it make the rattling noise when you lift off the throttle?

If the answer is yes, then get it checked by a Merc specialist.

 

[jeffreyli86]

Thanks for all the replies.. I think it is the loose locknut because the gear knob is moulded onto the shaft...
Oh and Andy, the rattle stops the instant I lift off the throttle... So it should be something minor ?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[rees_A]

Jeff,
Have you solved this problem? My car does the same thing, I'm taking it in to a garage this week to get looked at. If you have found an answer it may save me a few quid if I can do it myself.

Cheers

Alan

 

[jeffreyli86]

No mate. I'm still trying to pinpoint the problem.
Please let me know what the problem is once you have been to the garage..
I do not trust the local mechanics so I try to avoid taking the car to the garage as much as possible.

Thanks mate,
Jeff

 

[rees_A]

Cars not going in till next Thursday(Stupid garage overbooked) I'll let you know when its done.

Alan

 

[rees_A]

Update -

Car is in garage today to investiaget noise. Mine is from the propshaft rubber that was totally shot and hitting off the underside of the car. This also explains why my car clucnks when putting into reverse. Only downside is garage say they can't get a replacement until next Wednesday and they have lent me this dodgy Daewoo estate that I know have to keep to next week!!! At least its not too serious and will be fixed under warranty!!!

Alan

 

[Howard]

Bring the Daewoo to Bruntingthorpe !!!

 

[rees_A]

only if I can wear a bag over my head so no-one recognises me....lol

 

[rees_A]

Got car back at last. Problem has been solved. It was the thing that connects the propshaft to gearbox. The garage showed me the old one, it was in a pretty poor state!!!