Hello all --

I've decided to replace the K1 spring assembly (following this article: http://transmission.articles.mbz.org/k1/) to get rid of a 2-3 upshift flare in my 82 300D. Having some trouble getting the parts, though:

1) Ordered the part number mentioned in the article, but the dealership only came up with 1 long spring -- it looks like there should be some plastic bits and some more springs in the 'kit' from my reading of the article.

2) Am I on the wrong track with regard to the model of the car? I've got an 82 300D, the author has a 126 chassis -- is this even valid for my vehicle? The P/N begins with '126', so ... ?

3) The parts counter guy can't even find that part number in his database, let alone any attached plastic plungers or whatever else I need. I'm supposed to call Monday and speak with their resident diesel tech to see what he knows. Any other sources for this stuff? Bear in mind that, while I am not trying to trash our sponsor, FastLane wants nearly $20 to ship this thing (which could probably be taken care of with 3 letter-rate stamps), which I find a bit silly. I'd like a reasonable price. And, I'd like to be sure that I get the whole kit, and not just 1 spring again.

Thanks for any advice.

I just finished trying that job. Dealer couldn't find a thing listed for the part number listen so we had to search 20 diagrams to find it. The part that came was about 10 times to large. At that time I had my pan dropped already so I stretched out the spring that was in there already, and put it all back together.

RE-FILL WITH THE CAR RUNNING IF CONVERTER DRAINED!!!!

I drained my converter as well to change all the fluid and went completely brain dead and filled it all at once without the car running. = 3-4 quarts of ATF on the floor. NOT FUN!!!!!!

In the end the stretched spring didn't do a damn thing, but I did have a chance to reseal my modulator and change the fluid.

Personally I don't recomend the kit, my spring should be stiffer now and I have had NO change at all.

__________________
Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

Hmm, so it's not just my dealer that has trouble with the part number given in the article. He did order (and receive) 1 spring, but I left it there because I was expecting a kit of parts, so I couldn't tell whether it would have fit or not.

Anyone have any luck finding this stuff?

Yes, I got the kit by special order from International Autos in West Allis, Wis. I have the plastic bag the parts came in right in front of me. It has a Mercedes stick-on label with the number 126 270 44 77. Mercedes calls it a "thrust pin." Actual content of the bag was three springs and two plastic bits, just as the article described. Funny that your counterfolk couldn't find it.

As it happens, I installed the kit today. I think it reduced the 2-3 flare a bit, but certainly didn't eliminate it from what I can tell so far. I didn't get to test drive the car extensively after doing the service -- and I'll probably have to top off the ATF a bit -- but I'm afraid the new springs weren't enough to negate 209K miles of wear. Oh well. It only cost about $10 and some atf that needed changing anyway.

Russ M

That sounds promising. Did you order strictly by part numbers, or were you able to find it in the parts diagrams? I ordered the number listed in the article, but just got one piece. Maybe it was mislabeled, or mis-packaged?

Ummmm, I guess I'm not suppose to mention this here but the sponsor of the site you linked to Rusty at www.*************** can get you that with no hassle. Tell him B3 sent you....

__________________
Bill Reimels
Now down to one:
1972 300SE 3.5 W109 (Euro delivery)

Just did mine yesterday. My kit was the same as Maki, although the buymb parts website pictures looked different for the install. Probably because I have an '82 123. The outer plate for the servo on the valve body is metal and not plastic.

All the parts were there in the bag although I paid $15 from MBZ of Sacramento. Inflated Cali prices I suppose.

The conversion worked great.

Although(caveat) now... I have a dilemma regarding the upgrade. Most guys have the hard 1/2 shift right... that will never go away. I am O.K. with that, but the 2/3 is now nice and firm but the 3/4 is mush at part throttle(flare). If I adjust or reduce my vacuum it affect all shifts. This makes 3/4 shift proper but 1/2 and 2/3 shift like a turbo 400 tranny with shift kit! I also noticed I have no rubber guibos in my driveline, just steel plates, makes for some shock on shifts.

I am just saying beware. I am glad I did it, but I am just tryinmg to figure if I should lower the vacuum at the modulator or the bleed valve on top of IP. It seems to be a series of comprimises when these trannys get some miles on them. You have to fiddle to get them just right.

Good Luck... I would do it again if I had to do it over.

Shawn

__________________
'82 300d
'73 Alfa GTV
'86 Porsche 951
'00 BMW 323 sportwagen

I just bought 2 spring kits from the dealer. I just gave them the part number: 126 270 44 77. They were $10.50 each. Have not installed them yet...

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

No guibos?? Interesting.

Instead of adjusting the vacuum, you might want to try tightening the bowden cable a turn or so. It might delay that final shift long enough that your throttle position can get a little deeper -- thereby reducing the vacuum modulation. Just one more thing to fiddle with!

When I bought my coupe, the cable was way too loose -- I could barely accelerate at all, and had major flare in 1-2 and 2-3. I think I cranked the adjuster nut about three turns, and now it's not bad, except at 2-3. I've got to play with the throttle a little bit there, even with the K-1 kit. My 3-4 shift occurs at about 4500 rpm if I've got my foot in it to any degree.

Good luck,

Russ M.

I ordered strictly by the part number, acy.

Russ

Thanks for the help, all.. I will try the aforementioned site and see what I can find.

The plot thickens -- I just received a response to my email query from mbz.org (they host the article, I believe):

The spring kit is really not a kit it is one spring. The part number should
be 1262704477

Now I am getting confused...

I ordered from MB last year and it was a spring with two plastic inter-locking pieces.

I gave that same part number to my dealer and it was in his database. I ordered 2 at $10.50 each. They came in less than a week later and were I believe, two plastic pieces and two springs in each kit.

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Well, after a few trite email responses from the guys at mbz.org, they have apparently decided not to try and help me get the kit. This Tom fellow was nice enough to inform me that the P/N was for 1 spring only, and when I asked if he'd get me the other parts he hasn't responded. Great service.

Would anyone who has been successful getting this kit be willing (for a fee, of course) to send me one obtained from their local dealer? I really don't want to place an order only to have 1 spring show up again. I'd really appreciate it.