Recent Posts

Ah,I see.

Linkage problem is simply due to wear. If the link bushes (6) and linkage arms are adjusted correctly for length that's half the problem sorted. Then there's the gear lever yoke that wears along with bushes, etc. It's so common on high mileage Mercs that there's a kit available for this repair.

Contrary to popular belief, the dogleg Getrag is excellent once there's not excessive wear in the lever and linkage.

Far easier & cheaper to attend to the linkage rather than do anything else. BTW, all other suitable five speed Merc boxes have the same gear linkage set up.




I'm guessing but I'd expect the Getrag to be far stronger than the Type 9.

If it's a stone that's causing the problem, most are not round and if they get trapped between a heat shield and the underbody that surface is usually irregular. The combo of both can allow the stone move and sit lodged with different car motions.

I had that issue on a 190E or 300E can't remember which but it drove me nuts, didn't find the problem until I got the car up on to lift, tapping all the heat shields led to finding a stone lodged in the rear but the sound generated I could have swore that it was nearer the front.

Time for a proper inspection of the underbody of your car I'd suggest, even just to rule out anything obvious as it may not be a stone or similar.

The first thing that comes to mind is a stone or similar trapped somewhere. The usual place is between a heat shield and the body. I'd remove all the shields but carefully as the special nuts/fasteners can be seized on the studs. The fuel pump cover is also a hiding place.

Sorry, no more suggestions than that off hand.

Two months since my last post and I'm almost embarrassed to say I've only managed to clock up less than 200 miles . So, I decided to take the daily off the road and use the Merc for the next five or six months.

It's still knocking out max 13 psi, it's party piece is the in-gear acceleration, 40-100 (2nd & 3rd) & 60-120 mph in 3rd & 4th,the times seem excellent and it's instant 8.5 psi @ 2000 rpm or 10 psi @ 3000 rpm in 5th is impressive for an old machine. A world away from the stock max boost pressure of 6.5-7 psi.

They wear. There's bushes, pins, springs etc,etc within. Have a look at a Merc parts diagram and you'll see what I mean.

I remember hiring a car back in '99 when the Focus was new. It was the greatest surprise ever, I just couldn't believe how well it drove.
So we'll in fact it reminded me of first time I drove an AlfaSud, that's how good the Focus was in my eyes.

I doubt George will get the chance, I reckon grandad Dan will be in there first! 

Yeah guys, braking distance is important and a very good point - no way of getting away from the fact.

Your's is low. Here's mine just for reference Dan after lowering it and it was lower that a stock version being a Sport.  I used 30mm Eibachs, Koni Yellows and No 3 spring pads . The wheels are 8x16's.