Checking out a 87 300D tranny
 

Dear listers,
Could anybody please spare the info whether it is possible to check out a 124.133 tranny outside of the car. I forgot the name of those special transmission testing machines.
Thank you,
C.T.

Transmission dynamometer?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Hi,
That is it,i.e., dynamometer. My local AAMCO (pretty nice & professional guys BTW) are very doubtful that it is possible to check a MB tranny on that wonderful device.

I think I'll go with the Ammco guys.

Of course it is a matter of semantics. It depends on what you think "check" means. If you wish to tell if it has all the gears it could do that. If you had a program for the dyno it might qualify shifting. But you will be amased at how little can make a trans unacceptable. It can't check that.

Running anything close to a real test will probably cost as much as the trans you don't know about.

Hi Steve,
Just how much does a "real" test cost and where could a mere mortal perform it? I can get ahold of a used tranny for my 87 300D for about $100 ( coming from a immaculate car with 150 KMi). The big question is of course cheking out this used transmission. I will be shivering for a long time if I install a used tranny (cost + $650 labor) only to find out later it is a baaad transmission. Playing the numbers is fun while winning.
Thank you,
C.T.
P.S. By "checking out" I meant a reliable test whether the transmission is operating properly and does/does not have a hidden damage.

The only way to be sure there are no hidden problems will be to drive it a few years.

I was wrong, an uncertain test will probably cost 2 to three times the price of the trans.

Roll the dice.

Hi Steve,
Just wanted to make sure that I understand the above ideas correctly. If AAMCO people can not test the tranny on their dynamometer - skip the used tranny. If they are able to test it somehow on their device and find the tranny fine, roll the dice.
Thank you,
C.T.