Is the Tranny dead?

[hitch02]

SL'ers -

My '69 280SL automatic transmission has gradually (weeks, not months or years) been getting, well, special.  I first noticed that when cold it would flare a *lot* between shift, improving as it got warmer.  Well, it still does that, but now even when warm reverse will not really engage.  On a flat surface, it will try and even shudder a bit, but not engage.

Obvious question is - how bad is it?  Second less obvious question (2-part) is who in the DC area is best to fix it, and what approximately should it cost?

Thanks in advance for any guidance you can offer!

-Reed
'69 280SL
'85 300DT 356k!
'05 HCH

1969 280 SL Silver/Blue Tex (enroute)
1982 240D Midnight Blue/Parchment - 108K
ex- 1971 300SEL 6.3
ex- 1984 300DT
ex- 1994 E420
ex- 1990 300CE-24

[mdsalemi]

Hello Reed,

Hopefully others from the DC area will check in here regarding the proper "authorities" to work on it.  Having had tranny woes of my own in 2002, be advised that it is nearly 8 hours to remove and replace the transmission.  I know, because I paid that twice.  So, you need to be careful about who you let do this, because a good deal of the expense is just in getting the darn thing out and back it...you perhaps want it done once, and correctly.

Consider a rebuilt on exchange...Mike Halleck (Norton) just listed a site called Sun Valley on the Brake Caliper Rebuild thread, and they have rebuilts listed for your car. There's a firm that advertises in The Star all the time for rebuilt auto transmissions as well.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[TheEngineer]

Before you do anything, check the alignment of the shift lever (the one in the cockpit with the black knob) with the lever on the transmission. The BBB tells you how to do it. There are rubber or plastic bushings in that linkage which may have deteriorated. Educate yourself on the transmission first before you have an "expert" touch it. The transmission is very longlived, but it is easily misadusted by "experts". MERCEDES-BENZ TRANSMISSION, Steve Brotherton, ImportCar, February 2002. The Star, Vintage reprint No 1, p.37 also explains how to adjust.

[ja17]

Hello Reed,
Don't despair yet.  There is a 22mm lock nut for a 10mm band adjustment screw for the reverse band which comes loose and causes these symptoms.

The adjustment bolt can be re-set and the 22mm lock-nut re tightened. Turn the 10mm bot in until it is just snug, then loosen it up 1 3/4 turns and tighten down the 22mm lock nut.

Refer to my photo below.

Download Attachment: K4A 025 Automatic.JPG
60.99 KB

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[hitch02]

Thanks for the messages so far..  A bit more:

Are there any secrets to accessing the adjustment bolt/nut?  It's a tight fit, and given that I do not have a lift or anything, just ramps, things are pretty tight.  On the plus side, nothing is loose - but maybe in this case that's not so good.

More symptoms, to see if that adds to the diagnosis here:

1 - Fluid level is spot-on.

2 - When cold, it takes a little bit, but reverse does engage, and stays okay, so long as I dont rev the car, in which case *something* chatters.

An adjustment would seem plausible, if only I could loosen the 22mm nut.  Ugh!

Again, your help is appreciated!!

-Reed

1969 280 SL Silver/Blue Tex
1985 300Dt Midnight Blue/Parchment - 356K
ex- 1971 300SEL 6.3
ex- 1984 300DT
ex- 1994 E420
ex- 1990 300CE-24
ex- 1982 240D

[ja17]

Hello Reed,

If the 22mm nut is not loose there is less chance it may be an easy fix. However, I would loosen the 22mm nut and just snug the 10mm adjustment, then back it off 1 3/4 turns.

The fluid level should be checked when the engine  is warmed up it must be running in park and on perfectly level ground.

Sometimes the valve body in the transmission becomes loose causing an internal pressure leak.

If the adjustment does not do the trick the next line of action is to remove  the transmission pan and check for debris.  Be prepared to replace the cork gasket, the filter and fluid. The valve body can be re-tightened when the pan is off.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[Ricardo]

Joe
You said:
"The fluid level should be checked when the engine is warmed up it must be running in park and on perfectly level ground"
Do we actually need to drive the car to warm the transmission, and not just idle up to temperature? Or is the torque converter's spinning enough to warm it?
On my 300TD being down half a litre makes the tranny slugish and the difference between the low and high marks is only a half litre I think....I usually only check after a highway run of 20 kms. or so.
Small point but perhaps important?
Richard

[hitch02]

Pagoda folks -

Finally had the adjustment done by someone who knows how to do it.  The good news is he didn't charge me for his time.  The obviousl bad news is that it isn't fixed.  Apparently, there were two full turns of play which, when tightened-up and backed-off per the procedure, made no difference in the problem.  The report is that it *appears* that the band is done.  On a flat surface, reverse will slowly start to cathc, and the car will go backwards.  But if I apply more than just a little gas, it chatters like a sum****!

So, now I either need a specialist to diagnose and repair, or I need to replace.

I am curious what the collective wisdom of the board thinks here - and who within about 300 miles of DC is the right person to take it to...?

Thanks again for the advice and support!!

-Reed

1969 280 SL Silver/Blue Tex
1985 300Dt Midnight Blue/Parchment - 356K
ex- 1971 300SEL 6.3
ex- 1984 300DT
ex- 1994 E420
ex- 1990 300CE-24
ex- 1982 240D

[merrill]

reed,
contact these marc @ SVMBZ@aol.com.
I asked him several questions regarding my 66 sl tranny and he was very helpful.  he may extend the same courtesy to you.

let us know the result
matt

Sun Valley Mercedes Dismantlers      
Recycled Mercedes Parts
Remanufactured automatic transmissions for Mercedes
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Sun Valley, California 91352
United States of America
Phone: 818 7680704   FAX: 818 7680526
Used Parts: http://www.mercedesdismantlers.com/
New Parts: http://www.mercedesnewparts.com/

[merrill]

Reed,
any update?
just curious if you contacted marc, and if there was any information he was able to provide