Can't get transmission to separate from engine - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lietuviai · #1 02-04-2006, 12:51 PM

Last night, I took on the task of trying to pull the tranny from my 87 300D and I can't get the tranny to separate from the engine. As far as I could tell, I removed all the bolts attaching it to the engine and torque converter but it won't budge. I've tried using wedges and it separates from the engine but then as I pull the wedges it clams shut. I unbolted every thing that will unbolt (AFAIK). I've become really frustrated since I didn't want to do any more work on this car but I have to fix the leak before I get rid of it.
What am I missing. I'm going to spend a few more hours on it today until I have to return the tranny jack.

Hatterasguy · #2 02-04-2006, 01:06 PM

You must have missed something the trans practicaly falls off these things when you unbolt them. Did you get all of the bolts on the bell housing? You need to get a couple of them from up top. Also don't forget the dipstick.

If I remember correctly the TC has 8 bolts, 4 sets of 2.

Other then that unbolt the flex disc and trans mount and it should slide right back.

rg2098 · #3 02-04-2006, 01:12 PM

On the 250, the TQ and flywheel were stuck together pretty tight. Took some serious prying action to get them to separate as well.

lietuviai · #4 02-04-2006, 01:26 PM

I did unbolt the dipstick and even the two topmost bolts on the tranny. The torque converter spins freely of the flywheel. I am aware the torque converter has a short nub that inserts into the flywheel, at least the tranny manual that I have shows one. As soon as I finsih my breakfast, I'm going back to try separating the tranny again. I'll take my laptop into the garage to check back on my thread and to update anything I find on my end.

Hatterasguy · #5 02-04-2006, 01:45 PM

Well it sounds like you got everything. Maybe it is just stuck like rg2098 said, wiggle it a bit it should come right down.

superbeast1098 · #6 02-04-2006, 01:50 PM

And if all else fails.........

Use the Sledge Hammer!!!!

Just kidding........

lietuviai · #7 02-04-2006, 01:57 PM

I've wiggled the heck out of the thing and it wouldn't budge. If all else fails I'm going to try using a big pry bar and hammer.

lietuviai · #8 02-04-2006, 03:41 PM

The tranny seems canted to one side so what I had thought were the two top bolts were actually only one of them plus one of the side bolts. In all actuality there is one bolt at the very top that caused me so much greif.
In the process of pulling out the tranny, the torque converter stayed attached to the flywheel complicating things a bit. The nub of the converter was stuck in the flywheel. Once I pried it free of the flywheel, the tranny came out fairly easily. Surprisingly the tranny doesn't seem to weigh all that much.

#9 02-04-2006, 03:52 PM

Yeah I figured a bolt was left behind....it happens to the best of us heh.

The torque converter often stays with the engine...I think the highly lubricated input shaft of the tranny is a much better sliding surface than the nub in the flex plate.

Addicted and I just swapped out the tranny on his 76 300D yesterday. Bands B1 and B2 were SMOKED/gone (chips in the pan) so we put in a good tranny I had froma 240D (same transmission).

This Friday/Saturday must be transmission days heh...If the right pressures show bad on the 300SD, its tranny is going to get dropped today

pmckechnie · #10 02-04-2006, 04:46 PM

I had this problem the first time I tried to seperate the trans and engine in my 500SEL. It was sitting on the floor and I couldn't see a cover on the bellhousing right on the bottom. It would hit the flywheel and not allow the bellhousing to move back. Make sure these covers are off.

lietuviai · #11 02-05-2006, 12:24 AM

An odd looking rubber part fell out when I dropped the tranny down. It was a U shaped hollow piece with an opening at the bottom of the U. I haven't tried looking where it needs to go yet.
The leak from the tranny seemed to be bad enough that even the sound proofing was fully saturated with tranny oil. The exhaust pipe and "cat" were coated with a tar-like crust as well.

#12 02-05-2006, 02:17 AM

Front pump seal leaking was it?

Don't forget to replace the bushing that most likely failed to cause this

lietuviai · #13 02-05-2006, 12:13 PM

Didn't appear to be leaking. It looks like one of the side seals may be to blame. I'm taking it to a tranny shop so they can go through it thoroughly.

lefttownlance · #14 02-05-2006, 03:36 PM

That u-shaped thing could be whats left of the gramet that goes to the gear selection lever. I just over hauled mine 6 months ago and there was nothing left of mine N.A.P.A had a gromet that fit in the hole just right and the rod fit snug as a bug!!!

lietuviai · #15 02-05-2006, 04:46 PM

I don't think it's a grommet. It's about the size of a hand and looks more like what you'd find in the dash coming off a vent.