PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

Zacharias · #2 07-08-2015, 10:37 AM

You say the shop is recommending a full rebuild, by that do you mean they propose to have a rebuild done on yours or they want to sell you a rebuilt unit? I would not trust any shop to rebuild one of these transmissions.

First, it sounds like you need to get the B2 piston done immediately. (Voice of experience, my 300d is sitting dead outside due to that.)

Many shops, even those who claim to be specialists in older Mercedes, do not adequately understand the transmission controls. This situation was not helped by Mercedes consistently refusing to sell their transmission repair documentation here in North America.

The shop may take the point of view that if they just change the B2 for you, you may be back in 6 months with the trans blown and they will be blamed for not "properly" fixing it the first time. It's a valid point of view for them, as it does happen. (More or less the same reason many shops refuse to install a new voltage regulator on an alternator... they will only sell a rebuilt unit.)

No one here as driven your car, so it's hard to give advice. But based on your description the B2 is overdue and you haven't done the trans any favours by driving it that way (revving to get into gear). You should not be driving it with those symptoms.

So FWIW, I would say do the B2 and then make a serious effort to get your vacuum controls working properly (verify vacuum pump output, check vacuum control valve function and adjust as necessary, replace all vacuum connection rubber parts to ensure no leakage, check modulator cap is holding vacuum, and then if necessary adjust the modulator).

But one thing if you do want to go the full monty route, I would recommend you get a off-the-shelf reman transmission before you let any shop start rebuilding yours. There are known reliable suppliers of reman units... my brain is blank right now as to a name but there is a transmission guy in FLA who used to be a contributor to this forum who has all kinds available.