POOP! Where do I start? 240D Grinding gears. - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Stevo · #16 09-18-2011, 11:47 PM

An MB mechanic/friend told me once he had to rebuild a manual MB 4 spd tranny because it we towed with the rear wheels on the ground. On the other hand I have towed them that way for hundreds of miles with no problem. The owners manual tells you not to do it. My guess is if the tranny happens to be low on fluid then your chances of damaging the synchros are greatly increased. I will continue to tow them with my tow dolly but I will always make sure the fluid level is up.

camsna · #17 09-19-2011, 05:56 PM

So...uh...this is bad.

The guy at the tow yard - who admits that he is NOT a mechanic - has been really kind, gracious, and helpful. But things are, nevertheless, not looking good.

He called me just to let me know he's doing his research. He'd called several trans shops and several Mercedes-specialists who all said that, since it's a manual and not an auto, towing on the rear wheels is (probably) not a problem. "It should be fine." He's still waiting some other stuff from AAA, blah blah blah, but I'm less-than-encouraged.

Anyhow. Did I misunderstand? Is it NOT a problem that my 4-speed manual was towed by the rear wheels? If it IS a problem, does anybody have an authority that they can recommend to me that would attest to that? A manual or a mechanic, etc. Since neither of us are mechanics, we have to trust our mechanical authorities and it seems that their reports conflict.

I know that coincidence does NOT entail a cause/effect relationship. It could be that, by coincidence, my transmission has blown two synchros. But I don't think so. I never had an issue with grinding or shifting. Then, the only things that changed were, 1) the car was towed on its rear wheels and, 2) I replaced the fan belt. It just seems unreasonable to conclude either A) I replaced the fan belt incorrectly such that it blew two synchros or, 2) the tow had, literally, NOTHING to do with it...

Thanks for reading my vent. Please advise and a thousand thank-you's for all of your help thus far!!!

Billybob · #18 09-19-2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camsna

So...uh...this is bad.

The guy at the tow yard - who admits that he is NOT a mechanic - has been really kind, gracious, and helpful. But things are, nevertheless, not looking good.

He called me just to let me know he's doing his research. He'd called several trans shops and several Mercedes-specialists who all said that, since it's a manual and not an auto, towing on the rear wheels is (probably) not a problem. "It should be fine." He's still waiting some other stuff from AAA, blah blah blah, but I'm less-than-encouraged.

Anyhow. Did I misunderstand? Is it NOT a problem that my 4-speed manual was towed by the rear wheels? If it IS a problem, does anybody have an authority that they can recommend to me that would attest to that? A manual or a mechanic, etc. Since neither of us are mechanics, we have to trust our mechanical authorities and it seems that their reports conflict.

I know that coincidence does NOT entail a cause/effect relationship. It could be that, by coincidence, my transmission has blown two synchros. But I don't think so. I never had an issue with grinding or shifting. Then, the only things that changed were, 1) the car was towed on its rear wheels and, 2) I replaced the fan belt. It just seems unreasonable to conclude either A) I replaced the fan belt incorrectly such that it blew two synchros or, 2) the tow had, literally, NOTHING to do with it...

Thanks for reading my vent. Please advise and a thousand thank-you's for all of your help thus far!!!

I don't have any authoritative reference but Stevo mentions that it is advised against in the owners manual, if you have one check that for info. Maybe someone else will chime in and provide a document.

The issue from your point of reference is that unless they have some documentation saying "this is how it should be towed (rear wheels down in meutral)" then they should have used caution and towed it with no wheels on the ground if there was uncertainty.

If you think you're going to get some instant result I think you are not being realistic, the best probable outcome is that eventually they will take some responsibility and compensate you some. They aren't just going to replace/repair your tranny without some fight, someone screwed up and that screwup is going to cost someone some money and unhappiness.

Stevo · #19 09-19-2011, 10:33 PM

I have an 82 owners manual and cant find any info on towing a manual tranny car, could have sworn I saw it in there, heres another thread on the subject .....Towing a manual trans car?

whunter · #20 09-19-2011, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camsna

So...uh...this is bad.

The guy at the tow yard - who admits that he is NOT a mechanic - has been really kind, gracious, and helpful. But things are, nevertheless, not looking good.

He called me just to let me know he's doing his research. He'd called several trans shops and several Mercedes-specialists who all said that, since it's a manual and not an auto, towing on the rear wheels is (probably) not a problem. "It should be fine." He's still waiting some other stuff from AAA, blah blah blah, but I'm less-than-encouraged.

Anyhow. Did I misunderstand? Is it NOT a problem that my 4-speed manual was towed by the rear wheels? If it IS a problem, does anybody have an authority that they can recommend to me that would attest to that? A manual or a mechanic, etc. Since neither of us are mechanics, we have to trust our mechanical authorities and it seems that their reports conflict.

I know that coincidence does NOT entail a cause/effect relationship. It could be that, by coincidence, my transmission has blown two synchros. But I don't think so. I never had an issue with grinding or shifting. Then, the only things that changed were, 1) the car was towed on its rear wheels and, 2) I replaced the fan belt. It just seems unreasonable to conclude either A) I replaced the fan belt incorrectly such that it blew two synchros or, 2) the tow had, literally, NOTHING to do with it...

Thanks for reading my vent. Please advise and a thousand thank-you's for all of your help thus far!!!

1976 Mercedes 240D/300D Owner's Manual
http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/manuals/Europe/Mercedes/1976/Owners/index.htm

Towing not to exceed 30 MPH
http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/manuals/Europe/Mercedes/1976/Owners/pages/page_69_jpg.htm

1982 - 1985 MERCEDES 200 D, 240 D, 300 D OWNERS MANUAL

http://compare.ebay.com/like/250733738253?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

To order technical literature call:
1-800 FOR MERCedes (1-800-367-6372)

Stretch · #21 09-20-2011, 03:11 AM

For what it is worth my Haynes manual ISBN 1 850010 114 0 (bang that into amazon and you'll probably get a picture) says

"The vehicle can be towed with all four wheels on the ground, provided that speeds do not exceed 30 mph and the distance is not over 75 miles, otherwise transmission damage can result...

...While towing, the parking brake should be released and the transmission should be in neutral."

It does not specify any difference between a vehicle with an automatic or manual gearbox. (Which I think is strange)