ZF 5 speed spare part

[George Des]

Well today I got an e-mail response from Christopher A. Magiera  from ZF Automotive Technology Group of ZF Services North America regading my search for a new rear tachometer cover plate for my S5-20. The part is available out of Germany and he will order it for me and deliver direct in about 3 weeks. It isn't cheap--about $895.00, but this should cure the leak that I've been having through that areas for some time now. He also told me that the factory has already started delivering the S5-20 replicas that have been the topic of discussion on this Forum for quite a while. Have any of those who ordered received one yet? My impression from Chris is that since they opened up production for the replica there also will be a much greater range of spares available now.

George

 

[Garry]

Still waiting and nothing advised at this point.

Garry

[George Des]

Garry--hopefully you will get yours soon. I will be curious to hear how the replicas compare funtionally to the orginals. I've got to believe with all the modern manufacturing processes that they were able to get better tolerances on the new boxes. The originals, as several have pointed out, can be a bit noisy and tempermental, especially when cold. Once I get the new rear cover plate, I'll be pulling mine out to do some R&R on it which will include the new ZF designed reverse switch and perhaps some seals and bearings . While it's out I'll replace it with a 4 speed box and driveshaft that I just rebuilt. I've never driven a 4 speed, nor one of the automatics for that matter, so this will be a new experience for me.

George

[Benz Dr.]

The four speed box shifts better, hot or cold, because it has brass syncros. The ZF box has steel syncros and they seem to work better when warmed up. Reverse also has a syncro on the ZF box which is brass. However, I wouldn't try to shift it into gear until the car stops all forward motion.

[George Des]

Dan,

That's interesting on the ZF synchros. Wonder why ZF decided to use two different type material on their synchros wheras the MB box synchros are exactly alike even though the two sliders themselves are different. The shaft i've got to use with the 4 speed is the slip joint type used on the earlier 230SLs. I just replaced the two u-joints on it and cleaned it up.They were the clip in type.  When I pull the 5 speed out, I need to take a look at the u-joints on that shaft as well. Do you know off-hand if this has the replaceable u-joints or are they staked in?

George