I Took Apart The Valve Body And Don't Know How It Goes Back Together - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Squiggle Dog · #1 04-25-2016, 10:04 PM

I was at the very last step of rebuilding a 722.361 transmission in a 1991 W126 350SDL. The valve body was working fine before and I had even installed new Teflon rings. But, I wanted to make sure it was clean inside, so I tore it all apart in a pile so I could clean everything. There are many, many diagrams showing the 722.3 valve bodies in exploded view.

However, I discovered that the 350SDL valve body is totally different inside than other 722.3 valve bodies and the parts are shaped differently. So all the different diagrams that I am seeing don't look like what came out of mine. I'm certain I will never be able to put it back together again.

I also found that replacement valve bodies pretty much don't exist. The number cast into it is 124 277 06 01, From what I hear, the painted number is actually the specs to which it's built. But the painted number came off and is no longer visible. The part that shows up in EPC when I put in 350SDL is 126 270 92 71, which replaced 126 270 71 71. I don't even know what's compatible.

If someone has a valve body that came out of a W126 350SD/SDL, that could help as I could at least use it for reference if nothing else. I'm contacting Sun Valley to see if they can put mine back together or sell me another one. They were nice enough to provide pictures of where things go, but unfortunately the parts look different than what came out.

vstech · #2 04-25-2016, 10:45 PM

Post up pics of the parts, close up pics of each section and the parts displayed... Someone on here might be able to assist.

panZZer · #3 04-26-2016, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog

I was at the very last step of rebuilding a 722.361 transmission in a 1991 W126 350SDL. The valve body was working fine before and I had even installed new Teflon rings. But, I wanted to make sure it was clean inside, so I tore it all apart in a pile so I could clean everything. There are many, many diagrams showing the 722.3 valve bodies in exploded view.

However, I discovered that the 350SDL valve body is totally different inside than other 722.3 valve bodies and the parts are shaped differently. So all the different diagrams that I am seeing don't look like what came out of mine. I'm certain I will never be able to put it back together again.

I also found that replacement valve bodies pretty much don't exist. The number cast into it is 124 277 06 01, From what I hear, the painted number is actually the specs to which it's built. But the painted number came off and is no longer visible. The part that shows up in EPC when I put in 350SDL is 126 270 92 71, which replaced 126 270 71 71. I don't even know what's compatible.

If someone has a valve body that came out of a W126 350SD/SDL, that could help as I could at least use it for reference if nothing else. I'm contacting Sun Valley to see if they can put mine back together or sell me another one. They were nice enough to provide pictures of where things go, but unfortunately the parts look different than what came out.

Dude, I got a good 722.3 cd trans ill sell reasonable.
At the moment im not headin that way, might around july though.

Squiggle Dog · #4 04-26-2016, 11:00 PM

I figured out where the valves go, but I have no idea what springs to use. It's hopeless. I need another valve body. I was supposed to have the car done this week so my roommate can start driving it to work.

jt20 · #5 04-27-2016, 07:57 PM

Ive got pictures of a 722.4 when I did the shift kit on it. theyre nearly identical

try to tell me better what you need.

compu_85 · #6 04-27-2016, 09:22 PM

Ya, I've had mine apart too... perhaps I could help? I do recall it didn't match the diagrams exactly.

The ATSG manual makes a note to keep track of the pieces as there are a lot of production variations

-J

jt20 · #7 04-28-2016, 11:13 AM

there must be some standardization between the different arrangements.

How could the shift kits be sold for 722.3 and .4 with the same directions?

--ps- I can not find my pictures, Squigs. I went through everything. - no clue.

I am going to scan the shift kit instructions and post them, unless you find them online before I do that. They show all the different valves and general shape of springs.

There is also a 722.3 and 722.4 rebuild manual I have seen numerous times that is very detailed. I am pretty sure it is not a Mercedes production.

Squiggle Dog · #8 05-01-2016, 10:30 AM

I think I have the springs mostly figured out, but I then found that one of them (for the converter adaptation valve?--in some diagrams they have no spring--I guess they just float around loosely?) was definitely too big as when I installed the plate, the spring was completely compressed and the valve was still sticking out and not allowing the plate to close completely.

I don't like the chances of something being wrong and having to pull the valve body. If this doesn't work, I guess I'll just have to order a new valve body from Mercedes.

I also found that the K1 shut-off valve was missing (red box), so I guess I have to order one of those.

Squiggle Dog · #9 05-01-2016, 10:37 AM

In contrast, here are the parts that came out of the valve body of a 1987 W124 300D 722.317. Similar, but a lot of the valves are narrower and the springs seem different. Some extra parts, some less parts. And to make matters worse, a lot of these parts shot out of the valve body and I lost their placement. So what you see in these pictures is only a guess. So I have two different valve bodies which are both mixed up.

I must have overwhelmed Sun Valley as they haven't responded to my last two emails asking if they could put mine back together or sell me a used or rebuilt one. I was recommended by The Classic Center to call Transmeister. The person on the phone sounded put off and said he was driving and hoped a cop wouldn't see him. Then why did he answer his phone? He said that he really didn't deal in just valve bodies and to call him back in a few days. Whatever.

97 SL320 · #10 05-01-2016, 07:16 PM

Just because the springs fit for diameter ( or maybe even length ) does not mean that they are in the correct position.

Having mixed springs can affect all sorts of things including shift firmness / timing that no amount of vacuum modulator / cable adjustment will fix.

Regular trans shops have a tray where each valve and spring is removed one at a time and laid out for cleaning / reassembly. In some cases, trans specific trays are available.

Valve Body Cleaning Trays

Virtually no trans shop is going to have detailed information as to spring OD , wire diameter , free length and force for such an obscure transmission in a very specific application. This isn't like a 5 year old trans from a Chevy or one that racers have modded for decades.

I also feel compelled to link this thread to 2 others as they all deal with connected issues.

Shops Are Useless These Days

Is The K1 Shut Off / Plate Non-Return Valve Necessary On A 722.3 Transmission?

Squiggle Dog · #11 05-01-2016, 07:36 PM

97 SL320, This is why I am thinking that using another 350SDL valve body for reference is the best thing to do as it would show me exactly which springs go where (assuming it hasn't been tampered with). But if a used one doesn't come up, I may have to spend the big dollars for a new/rebuilt one. And then I suppose I could use it as reference to make sure this one is right and then keep the old one as a spare or sell it.

I wouldn't expect a regular transmission shop to know how it goes back together. But a place that specializes in old Mercedes transmissions that's been doing it for decades might (like Sun Valley or Transmeister). I would imagine they would have secret documentation or spares used for references, or at the very least--photographs showing the different arrangements or a knowledge from working on them day after day for decades.

I read some bad information that all valve bodies are the same in the 722.3 series except for early and late versions. Just like I heard that any 722.3 transmission will interchange with any other in the series. Then I found out that the tail cones are different between a W124 and W126. Then I discovered that you can't even just swap tail cones because of different bolt patterns, etc.

So, what I have learned is that each transmission is specific to each model of car, and each valve body is specific to each model of transmission.

Thanks for the links. Hopefully I get some answers, though it seems that most of the time I end up answering my own questions due to their technicality.

Squiggle Dog · #12 05-23-2016, 06:48 PM

I put the valve body in with the parts arranged using my best guess. The transmission seems to work fine in all gears. I haven't noticed any problems so far. What a relief.

mach4 · #13 05-23-2016, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog

I put the valve body in with the parts arranged using my best guess. The transmission seems to work fine in all gears. I haven't noticed any problems so far. What a relief.

QUICK! GO BUY A LOTTERY TICKET!

Clemson88 · #14 05-23-2016, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog

I put the valve body in with the parts arranged using my best guess. The transmission seems to work fine in all gears. I haven't noticed any problems so far. What a relief.

I'm impressed.

dude99 · #15 05-23-2016, 08:24 PM

Quote:

I put the valve body in with the parts arranged using my best guess. The transmission seems to work fine in all gears. I haven't noticed any problems so far. What a relief.

Hooray!!!!!! Thats quite impressive. What was the issue that started you into all this? None the less you have accomplished an great feat here.