Shift Mechanism, Removing And Installing: Removing

-- Disconnect the battery ground cable. Refer to BATTERY, DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING .

-- Remove the boot with the gearshift knob and, if necessary, remove the noise insulation from the center console frame as well. Refer to GEARSHIFT KNOB, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

The Footwell Rear Channel Is Located above the Nut for the Center Console on Some Vehicles:

-- Remove the center console. Refer to CENTER CONSOLE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the footwell rear channel. Refer to OVERVIEW - AIR ROUTING AND AIR DISTRIBUTION IN VEHICLE INTERIOR .

Fig 1: Identifying Rear Footwell Air Duct Remove/Install Components

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-- Remove the nuts for the center console securing bracket. Refer to CENTER CONSOLE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the gearshift housing nuts. Refer to Fig 2.

-- Lower the gearshift housing.

If it is not possible to lower the gearshift housing, then the nuts on the gearshift housing are located under the bracket on the center console.
The center console securing bracket must be removed. Refer to CENTER CONSOLE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

For Vehicles Where the Center Console Securing Bracket Cannot Be Removed Separately:

-- Remove the center console. Refer to CENTER CONSOLE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

Installation Position of Gearshift Housing Nuts arrows

Fig 2: Identifying Shift Housing To Center Console Nuts

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-- Remove the nuts -arrows-.

-- Remove the center console with the center console securing bracket. Refer to OVERVIEW - CENTER CONSOLE .

-- Remove the footwell rear channel. Refer to OVERVIEW - AIR ROUTING AND AIR DISTRIBUTION IN VEHICLE INTERIOR .

Installation Position of Noise Insulation and Gearshift Housing Nuts arrows

Fig 3: Installed Position of Noise Insulation and Gearshift Housing Nuts -arrows-.

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-- Remove the noise insulation and gearshift housing nuts -arrows-.

-- Remove the noise insulation from the gearshift housing. Refer to OVERVIEW - NOISE INSULATION .

-- Remove the entire air filter housing if it is located above the gearshift mechanism:

Vehicles with turbo diesel engine. Refer to the appropriate Service Information
Vehicles with a gasoline engine. Refer to AIR FILTER HOUSING, REMOVING AND INSTALLING

Remove Shift Cable from Transmission Gearshift Lever

Fig 4: Identifying Lock Washer -1- And Pin -Arrow- On Transmission Shift Lever -2-

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-- Lift the clamp and remove the lock washer -1- for the shift cable from the gearshift lever -2-.

-- Remove the shift cable from the pin -arrow- from the gearshift lever -2-.

Cable Retainer, Separating from Selector Cable

Fig 5: Disconnecting Cable Retainer From Selector Cable

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-- Pull the securing mechanism all the way forward in direction of -arrow 1- and then unlock to the left in direction of -arrow 2-.

-- Push the relay lever forward and guide the selector cable out of the cable retainer.

NOTE:

The cable retainer may be removed only when the relay lever is removed. Refer to Figure.

-- Remove cable bracket from transmission (nut -1- and bolts -2-).

Fig 6: Locating Bracket Nuts And Bolts

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CAUTION:

Risk of damaging the decoupling element on the exhaust pipe.

Pay attention. Refer to OVERVIEW - EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM .

-- Remove the exhaust pipe under the gearshift mechanism. Refer to OVERVIEW - MUFFLER .

-- Remove the heat shield under the gearshift mechanism.

Heat Shield, Removing. Refer to HEAT SHIELD, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Pivot the shifter housing downward and remove it with the shift cables.

Relay Lever with Cable Retainer, Removing and Installing

Fig 7: Identifying Tab Pressed Down To Remove Relay Lever Together With Cable Retainer

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Removing

-- Remove the clip -arrow 1- and then remove the relay lever together with the cable retainer -arrow 2-.