Repaired for £30? Mercedes Sprinter/VW Crafter HOW TO POSSIBLY FIX POOR MANUAL GEARS. Does it work?

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Repaired for £30? Mercedes Sprinter/VW Crafter HOW TO POSSIBLY FIX POOR MANUAL GEARS. Does it work?

Рет қаралды 27,053

Күн бұрын

This video gives the procedure for replacing the gear selector bush bought from eBay company Erton based in Poland. The part was bought via the link below with my own money this was to see if replacing this part would improve the poor gear selection on my high mileage Mercedes Sprinter that we are converting into a family campervan.
I thought recording the process and putting it on KZfaq may help others with the same issue selecting 1st 2nd and reverse gears. Is it worth the £30 price? Are there any other parts required? I also bought a direct replacement gear knob after watching a video of someone trying to remove the gear knob from a VW Crafter and having a hard time with that, which I'm glad I had to hand to help with the process.
Please watch the full video for the full procedure and to see the gear selection at the end to see if it was worth the money, hassle and time to replace the gear selector bush.
Notes: I used a different type of grease than that supplied with the part, if I did this again I would use the silicon grease supplied which was much thicker and more suitable for the use intended. Also there are two different types of selector bush/socket for a Mercedes Sprinter sold by this eBay company. The white single piece one used in this video and a two piece grey one, which is exactly the same as the original one on the vehicle when manufactured by Mercedes, the white one works fine on my van, however I would recommend contacting the company through eBay to see which is best for your vehicle.
Gear selector bush link:
www.ebay.co.uk...
Gear Knob link:
www.ebay.co.uk...
These are unaffiliated links, I don't get anything from these companies for sharing their products. I am just sharing the links to help others, you can help me by liking the video and also subscribing to our KZfaq channel as thanks for taking the time to make the video and the information provided within it.
Thanks very much and happy motoring
#campervanbuild #sprintervanconversion #mercedessprinter

Пікірлер: 72

@SuperClotted Жыл бұрын

Great video - I've just removed the gear shift knob with destroying it. Method used: 1. pry off the top plastic cover (the disc with the gear layout printed on it), is just a friction fit, comes off very easily with a small spudger or screwdriver. 2. drill a hole using a Dremel or drill down through the centre of the gear knob until you hit metal. I used a 3mm drill bit. 3. using a syringe, drip a good amount of Sticky Stuff remover (or other solvent) down the hole. 4. wait about 5 mins. 5. If required drill further small holes to get the solvent down the sides of the metal top of the gear stick below the rubber of the knob, and repeat. 6. Using all your strength, twist the gear knob left and right until it comes loose. Worked beautifully!

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

That is a really good idea to loosen the gear knob! Thanks for sharing it 😊 was it this job you were working on? Or something else that needed to knob removing?

@SuperClotted Жыл бұрын

@@beaulunaedvantures the plastic frame around the base of the cover/gaiter had snapped in several places, so need to remove to repair. Easy enough performing a crude plastic weld with a soldering iron did the trick.

@stuartchapman5171 Жыл бұрын

@@SuperClottedgreat tips, I have a v shaped crack in my near side step. Having welded in the past, I thought I'd give it a go. I was considering "stoving" it as well. ie no filler rod.

@SuperClotted Жыл бұрын

@@stuartchapman5171 if it’s a crude plastic weld you can also use cable ties as ‘filler rod’

@stuartchapman5171 Жыл бұрын

@SuperClotted great tip, deep joy. My philosophy is, it's broke, can't make it any worse. I have thousands of hours welding under my belt, including T.I.G. and Gas. I have Dremel to clean up afterwards. Actually looking forward to this now. I have a small 25W iron I use for pcb work, I was thinking of using my 40W with a fat old screwdriver sized tip.

@tomaszbujko77 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the detailed step by step video. I regret that I didn't find it sooner, because I was fixing the same thing, longer because I was alone. I found a shorter video but it already had a part on the table. From the very beginning it was easy for you to explain how to remove the plastics. As for the gear shift knob, I remove it without damaging it, but it's difficult. If I find a video, I'll post a link for the future and greetings.

@tomaszbujko77 Жыл бұрын

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fqiSrKyflbyUlXk.html

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

Hi Tomas thanks for taking the time to leave your comment😊 I’m glad it worked for you and you found the video helpful 👍

@austinado16 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic job with this repair! I'm very impressed with your skills... in all phases of this project! You're really talented Ash!

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

Thanks Todd, you’re very kind. It did go really well, even with the time it took to remove the gear knob, it wasn’t more than a mornings work - and it worked well which was lovely 😁

@VanCrazy2023 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video, however you don't need to smash the gear knob when doing this process, just use a pair of bull nose pliers to snap the top gray piece off. You don't then actually have to smash anything and cuts the time in half. TOOK me 1 hour to take out replace and grease. Cheers Mike

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

Thanks Mike, yes I did make a bit of a mess getting that gear knob off. That would have been a much easier way of doing it 👍 I use a pair of grips and a hammer in the end to free it up

@VanCrazy2023 Жыл бұрын

I mean you don't need to take the knob off at all. The gray Cup that holds the actual stick that's in the black housing you can just snap it out with a pair of pliers as the replacement snaps over 👌

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

@@VanCrazy2023 Yes that is also very true, if I ever do one again, that’s how I’ll do it as it will save loads of time and hassle 😁👍

@patrickolner5195 4 ай бұрын

Been watching this closely. Do you mean the grey cup, the upper part doesn’t need to be fitted back in place? I noticed the old grey one had two parts, an upper and lower - but does the new white cup not need the top part? Thanks so much, Patrick

@user-ky1oc2bl9j 4 ай бұрын

Perfect, I have this problem with my van, which has 266000miles

@beaulunaedvantures 4 ай бұрын

Hope this video helps! Wow our mileage is so similar our is 268000 now 👍

@dedethesprintervan Жыл бұрын

Great video ordered part and going to give it a go.

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

Thanks for commenting I hope it goes well and improves the gear change on your van 👍

@derek876544 Жыл бұрын

considering you said you have limited mechanical background thats a heck of a job to take on.

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

Thanks, I did have a mark1 VW Golf GTI in the mid 1990’s that had had 16 previous owners in 15 years so had done stuff to keep that running for a couple of years. Most of my tools are from then too 🤣 but this is the biggest job I’d done in at least 25 years. I quite enjoyed it, apart from getting the gear knob off which was a right pain! I would be ok with bits like this in the future as long as there is a KZfaq video to follow - or I was feeling confident enough to give it a whirl 😊

@TheVeyron81 Жыл бұрын

At that mileage its worth checking the cable adjustment as they may have stretched a little

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Yes the 1st and 2nd gear section still aren’t perfect so I need to look further into it. Thanks for your recommendation, is it a simple procedure for someone with very little mechanical know-how? Or is it best to leave it to the professionals 😁 happy new year too 👍

@TheVeyron81 Жыл бұрын

@@beaulunaedvantures yes its a fairly simple job, there are tutorials out there or its in the Haynes manual. Basically lock the gearstick in neutral position via the sliding mechanism under the gaiter. the adjusters are on the gearbox side and only need minute adjustments. they’re pretty easy to work out how to operate. The hardest part is the to and fro from underneath the van to the cab testing the gearshift.

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

@@TheVeyron81 Thanks very much 👍 I watched a video of a someone adjusting a VW golf after you said about it earlier. Thanks a lot I really appreciate you mentioning it as it is something I’m definitely going to look into adjusting them, or getting them adjusted 😁

@skinnylegsbarefootshoes Жыл бұрын

How’s it feel now after a few months? Any issues? Your van cabin looks in good condition for the mileage 👍

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

It’s doing alright, I did have the reverse lights/camera come on a couple of times in those months - so it isn’t a complete cure which is a shame, but it is an improvement. Thanks too the cab is in good nick overall and apart now from the worn steering wheel you’d never guess it’s done the mileage that it has 😊 thanks for watching

@skinnylegsbarefootshoes Жыл бұрын

@@beaulunaedvantures Still worth doing then do you reckon?

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

@@skinnylegsbarefootshoes Yes still worth £30 and a mornings work for sure 👌

@markg99 10 ай бұрын

You guys 😂 Great job fixing the gear trouble, Ash. Looked like a week's work then a trip to the mechanic for me lol.

@Ryan-or1jm 2 ай бұрын

You used a different ball socket compared to what was removed. You can buy both versions online. Any reason you done this? Did you find it any different? Thanjs

@beaulunaedvantures 2 ай бұрын

Hi Ryan, there are two versions for sale online you’re right. I didn’t know which one to buy so went for the white one. If I did it again I’d get the grey as that’s the one that was in there originally. It works fine and I’m not sure why there are two types/colours. The white may have been used on the VW Crafter or the 2006-2010 Sprinter but I’m not sure why there are two different designs. If you can pull up the gaiter before ordering and see whether the one on yours is grey or white and order the exact replacement 👍 Good luck

@nathansparrow1416 Жыл бұрын

i had a hard time getting my sprinter to change down into second while moving and tried new oil 70 w 90 from merc but was no good ,so put 5 w 30 tractor transmission oil in and its perfect now .

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

Wow that’s interesting, is it the 6 speed gearbox you tried that in please? I’m not to up on what the different numbers mean - is one thicker than the other?

@nathansparrow1416 Жыл бұрын

@@beaulunaedvantures yes its six speed front wheel drive , the 5 w 30 is thinner . i will drain and check for any metal particles in a year . it shifts very eisily now !

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

@@nathansparrow1416 Thanks very much Nathan that’s good to know 👍

@cristipreduna3971 Жыл бұрын

I greet you, wonderful community, and you should know that I'm watching this vixeoclip from Romania.. here you don't really find information about such things, so I come with a question to which I hope to receive an answer. does this small spare part also fit a 2008 Mercedes sprinter?

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

Hi thank you. I’m not sure exactly what models of Mercedes sprinter it fits, but the link to the part on eBay is in the notes for the video so you can see which part I used. You can search for the same part and ask them if the part will fit your Sprinter 👍 good luck and I hope life is good In beautiful Romania 😁

@Deepfake820 Жыл бұрын

Did the part you replaced look worn in anyway? What about just greasing that area?

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

It was a bit hard to tell by looking at it, but there was no obvious wear and tear on the parts I took off. I originally tried to grease the area with some ZX1 Friction Eliminating Grease, but it was a bit too liquidy to make any difference. The grease supplied with the part was much thicker - silicon grease - which would be a bit difficult to get into the exact location it’s needed, however be worth a go first. You may get lucky and save some work stripping it all down 😁

@justme5384 Жыл бұрын

Tried the link on the description but it says it's for W901-905, but your van is a W906 (as is my crafter year 2008), but can't find the correct parts...

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

Sorry they may have changed place to get it, as yes you are correct my van is a 2014 Sprinter W906. I’ll have a look see if the company are still doing the part.

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134100389928?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=4_tVYd3jQFG&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=e2M6g5LESQu&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

Try that link I’ve just put on for this exact part I used 👍

@whippetsadventuresandoneman Жыл бұрын

Great video. If ok to ask where did you buy the tool set from?

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

Hi, I can’t remember exactly where I got the tool set from but it is a Bosch 44 piece driver bit set with handle. If you search for Bosch 2607017693 it will come up with the same set 👍 I’ve used it loads so far doing my camper build, it’s been a good purchase, and the bits are really hard - not had one fail on me.

@whippetsadventuresandoneman Жыл бұрын

@@beaulunaedvantures cool thank you ☺️🤗

@mustafatopcu6434 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the helpful video. I bought this thing too for my crafter 2.0tdi . How many days was it shipped? Bought 3 days ago, still not shipped.

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

Hi, it took about a week to get to me. So 7 days, which I didn’t think was too bad at the time as the post was all over the place in the UK. Good luck with the fitting, hope this video helps 👍

@mustafatopcu6434 Жыл бұрын

@@beaulunaedvantures Thanks a lot for your answer. It is a perfect video for users who really like their car like us. I hope it will come soon and I will implement it.

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

@@mustafatopcu6434 Thank you 👍

@jistjadfitzpatrick9305 Жыл бұрын

Ours always sticks with 1st and 2nd and we really need to shove it in. Is this a similar issue to yours that could be rectified by this method? Thanks

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

Hi, this is the exact problem we had. This part helped initially, and now after driving 4000 miles it is still improved, but there is still an issue occasionally getting into first gear. Replacing the part will make an improvement, and selecting gear is still better than it was, but it’s not perfect.

@bobbyedwards6144 5 ай бұрын

Of topic, what heater did you use in your van? I’m thinking of propex Thanks

@beaulunaedvantures 5 ай бұрын

Hi sorry for the late response. We had a propane heater in our last van. It worked really well, but we used smallish propane bottles (6kg) and it used a lot of propane. This van came with a factory fitted Epsbacher D2 diesel heater and it too works well and is really economical and efficient. So the running costs for the diesel heater for us are a lot lower in the long run 👍

@bobbyedwards6144 5 ай бұрын

No worries, thanks for getting back to me. I was thinking truma 4E or propex but they are a lot of money might go for Diesel heater. Thanks agin

@nikolatesla4030 11 ай бұрын

I have problems with changing to second, first and especially reverse (which is virtually impossible). But the problem exists ONLY when engine runs, so I am more leaning towards worn-out clutch (like it doesn't separate enough). Any thoughts? Should I change the clutch? Otherwise I didn't notice any problems when driving.

@beaulunaedvantures 11 ай бұрын

I had a guy say to me when I said it a still not perfect going into 1st, 2nd and reverse that it’s the clutch. He worked for a company who serve and repair all sorts of vans including a lot of sprinters and he said it was the clutch. I said I thought it might be the gear linkage cables, but getting it done if it’s not that is an extra expense and his reply was ‘Worth a try changing the cables, as not as expensive as a new gearbox. If it doesn’t work change the clutch’.

@nikolatesla4030 11 ай бұрын

@@beaulunaedvantures probably is that, 300.000km on the clock... and the quotation for set clutch+flywheel change is 1400€ :( (BTW.: Try with engine off)

@beaulunaedvantures 11 ай бұрын

@@nikolatesla4030 I get what you mean now with the engine off, to see if there is still an issue 😃 That’s expensive isn’t it on a van with that mileage. Depends whether it’s worth spending all that money, I don’t suppose it’s worth much without doing it though? Tough call - good luck though 👍

@nikolatesla4030 11 ай бұрын

@@beaulunaedvantures I will do it, because it`s a camper conversion with expensive set-up inside. This is the last major service ... I hope (already changed engine, stearing rack, all 4 discs, both leaf spring...) will this ever stop? :)))

@yusufelliotanalidodoloooma9685 Жыл бұрын

My car stacking gear 1 no come out. Until to go to repair. After that now no taking gear number one and 2. Only when im pull up like reface i get 1. Whats problem?

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

Hi Yusuf, I’m no mechanic you will need to ask a mechanic or someone who knows about these kinds of issues selecting gears. Sorry I don’t know what is wrong with your gear selection or how to solve it. Good luck getting it sorted

@juliangega7080 Жыл бұрын

Hi , I can’t see the link to purchase that new plastic please

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

Hi it’s still in the notes to this video.

@philip.aocallaghan4602 Жыл бұрын

Great video, what exactly did you have trouble with... IM having trouble getting into 3rd gear.. after a lot of grating it goes in but I would like to eliminate that if possible.. Thank yu

@beaulunaedvantures Жыл бұрын

Hi Philip, I was having trouble selecting 1st, 2nd and also reverse gears. They would all go in eventually, but sat at traffic lights trying to ram it into first was frustrating. It sometimes wouldn’t then go into second without putting some serious pressure to pull it into gear. I didn’t realise until I fitted the reverse camera that the reverse lights were coming on when trying to ram it into 1st, as the reversing camera came on too highlighting this issue. It’s still not perfect, but much better than it was - and no reverse lights/camera coming on when it shouldn’t 👍 I’m not sure if this would work the same for 3rd gear. If that is the only gear affected. If you have a couple of hours to spare and £30 it might be worth a try, if you can wait the week or so for the part to arrive. Someone did say in one of the comments that getting the gear cables adjusted would be a good idea too. I haven’t ventured that far, and would probably leave that to a garage but thought I’d mention it as it may be helpful with getting 3rd gear engaged 👍

@philip.aocallaghan4602 Жыл бұрын

@@beaulunaedvantures Thank you for the reply