I've done the whole trans out thing about 10 times in the last 3 months and its easy.

You can leave the entire exhaust in place, and you can leave the driveshaft in place just unbolt it and push it up and out of the way.

I bet you a nickel that its the clutch. If your going to keep the car then I would suggest getting the clutch parts before you start the job, unless you can have the car idle in the garage for a bit and have a good memory of how things go back together. I did mine a few months back and it took me just over 3 hours outside in the rain by myself. So I would budget a day if you have not done this sort of thing before. Get yourself a clutch kit that contain the pressure plate, friction disc, release bearing the shorter style (I had the longer one and the clutch would not fully engage) and a pilot bearing.

The MB trans is really light and if you drain the oil first even lighter. I don't even use the jack for the MB trans anymore, I just lift it into place but I would not try that until you have done it a bunch.

Disconnect the battery first

Then undo the shift rods, all you need is a flat head screw driver.

Then unbolt the driveshaft from the rubber coupling and slide it back out of the way. If I recall it requires a 8 or 10mm hex and a 17mm wrench.

A 10mm is needed to remove the speedo cable (you have to take the bolt all the way out to get the cable out)

The clutch slave is held in with just 2 13mm nuts, spin them off and pull the slave back and then other the tranny and just position it out of the way.

Then unbolt the exhaust hanger from the tranny, and u bolt from the exhaust

Then there are a bunch of trans bolts all 17mm some have nuts other bolt into the block.

There are also 2 starter bolts that are I think 12mm hex.

Now you should be ready to put a floor jack under the tranny and support it.

Then undo the trans cross member and remove along with the trans mount.

Now the tranny is ready to remove, you may need to use a flat head screw driver to pry the tranny from the engine as it has two locating pins that are usually firmly in place.

Once the trans is loose about an inch from the engine and is supported, have a friend control the floor jack while you control the position of the trans on the jack.

It will take a little "back" and "down", "damn it, up a little....ok down again" to get the pilot shaft clear of the pressure plate. After that just lower it to the floor and pull it out.

You know I think there is a DIY in the resources section too.

__________________
1998 Mercedes E300TD

1983 Mercedes 240D Turbo, 131bar injectors, Cosworth intercooler and 63' Ford Falcon radiator, Ardic Parking heater, Headlight wipers, Best 38.6mpg.

1973 Saab 96 Rally Car, 1.8l V4 with all the race bits