Working on the W140's Console*

Several jobs require removing the shift console and even the entire center console.  These are the ones I've done myself so far . . .

bullet1.  Repair the gear shift "shutter"
bullet2.  Replace the 5th gear "shift segment" & switch

Start by removing the wood cover

Get comfortable

Open the ash tray and remove the junk

Press the ashtray release button and remove the tray itself.  Lift out the spring and using a #2 Phillips right-angle screw driver LOOSEN the screw and lift off the wood covering.

A better view of the screw holding the wood cover onto the front of the ash tray assembly

Using a T20 Torx, remove the 2 screws that join the 2 sections of wood.  You can use a T20 bit and turn it with a small 1/4" open end wrench or a short right-angle T20 wrench. 

Using a nylon wedge, lift off the bezel surrounding the shift quadrant.  Do I need to remind you to be careful not to scratch your wood?

A spring I found loose inside my shift tower.  More was revealed a few months later.

 

I reached inside the ashtray opening and with my finger tips lifted the forward edge of the console wood.  Once the forward edge is lifted, the console wood is removed by pulling forwards to disengage 2 tangs at the rear of the wood.

 
Remove the shift lever: move the shift lever into a convenient position, press down firmly and twist the shift lever CCW to about the 7 o'clock position and lift out.  You may have to 'tap' down on the shift lever to persuade it to come loose.
Set the console wood to the side. Mine was comfortable sitting to the right of the console--I did not remove any wiring or switches

Use a couple of screwdrivers to gently pry the tabs loose at the front and rear of the shift gate and lift the shift gate straight up.

 
This shot shows the tubes that receive the ends of the shift gate 'shutter'
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Replacing the 5th gear "Shift Segment"

Start by removing the shift console wood covering and shift lever gate & shutter assembly as described above.
 
The "shift segment", ,looking at the right side that seats against the inside of the shift tower
Top view of shift segment
Shift segment in 4th gear position
Shift segment in 5th gear position
    3 views of the 5th gear switch
 
 

 

 

 

* Note:  I believe that later W140's used a single piece of wood covering the shift console and the ash tray area up to the radio.  Mine is a '92 that uses 2 pieces and the procedures may vary.