Just to make sure before I break things. For a mercedes 2000 Ml320.

I can turn the torque converter by turning the cranks clockwise standing infront of the car and facing the car?

Does the car have to be in park? or should it be in gear?

I don't have to have any of the wheels off the ground?

thanks

ben

__________________
Silver Honda Accord, 2006
Silver G500, 2003
Silver SLK-320, 2002
Black ML-320, 2000
Bule Porsche 993 Targa , 1997
Silver Merkur XR4Ti, 1987

Should be no problem turning the engine over in any gear, neutral or park. Should be no different than if the engine were running and you were not moving.

I just did this on my 87 300DT. Use a cheater bar on the end of the socket wrench. Lie on your back and crank the cheater bar/socket wrench a 1/4 turn at a time until you see the torque converter nut.

thanks for the response.

__________________
Silver Honda Accord, 2006
Silver G500, 2003
Silver SLK-320, 2002
Black ML-320, 2000
Bule Porsche 993 Targa , 1997
Silver Merkur XR4Ti, 1987

If you're doing a trans service its quite likely you don't have TC drain plug. IIRC they disappeared half way though 99.

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

terry,

I am doing tran service. Yes, I heard that my 2000 ML does not have a drain plug. But I call mercedes costomer service and gave them my vin they said I should have a drain plug.

Anyways I am not going to give up without checking. Unless people tell me turning the crank shaft by hand is bad for the car.

I will let you you guys/gals know what I find out.

__________________
Silver Honda Accord, 2006
Silver G500, 2003
Silver SLK-320, 2002
Black ML-320, 2000
Bule Porsche 993 Targa , 1997
Silver Merkur XR4Ti, 1987

Turning the crank (in the proper direction) is not bad at all. Some have suggested that turning it backwards might put undue stress on the chain tensioners and chain guide rails on some of the engines; so you might want to avoid doing that, just to be safe.
What the heck, if you go just a smidge too far, just make another turn; it's good exercise.

DG

dealer service advisor adviced me that the 2000 MLs have a sealed type of transmission and never require maintenance. is this true?

The actual quote usually is that "you do not need to change the fluid during the life of the transmission." The issue is that how long do you want that life to be?

There's a bit of a religious argument going on about this right now so don't be surprised at an uproar.

MB Germany has reversed this position. They now say that the fluid must be changed before 60k kilometers (40k miles) but it is not necessary thereafter. MB USA has been silent on this change. My hypothesis is that they are afraid of being liable for all the failed transmissions to date as the transmissions do at least last through the warranty period.

I would get it changed. Other than the tinfoil hat crowd claim's (OMG You Are Doing Something That MB Doesn't Tell You To Do!!) it isn't hurting anything. My experience as well as others' is that there is a noticeable improvement in shift smoothness afterwards.

Note that if the transmission is already damaged changing the fluid won't cure anything but it can lower the future rate of deterioration.

Note also that for most models (I think your year is included) getting all of the fluid is a bit time consuming. Don't be surprised at having to pay for over 1 hour of labor. It is a little more involved then just pulling the drain plug. Take it to an indy who knows what they are doing.

Gene Horr, thank you very much for your immediate reply. sometime in '05, the dealer replaced an electrical connector and added about a quart of fluid. then just last week, truck @ almost 95K miles, dealer adviced to replace the connector again 'coz according to them there was a leak on the electrical connector area. however, only a spacer & lock pin was changed and a quart of tranny fluid added. i don't like the way the truck shifts now, looks like there's more trans fluid than the recommended amount. i'll check the level in a bit and drain if there is more than what is necessary.

btw, been changing my '92 (190E 2.6) trans filter & fluid religiouly every 30K and it still runs excellent w/ almost 184K miles. first off, the fluid from the pan is drained out thru the plug. when pan is almost empty, the pan bolts are removed & filter changed. i never tried draining the torque converter.

is it possible for me to use the same method in draining the trans fluid and changing the filter? of course, w/ the ML class, i would still use the synthetic tranny fluid aka MB 001-989-21-03-10.

just trying to save some money and at the same time have this wonderful feeling that the maintenance was done w/ personal & loving care to the vehicle.

thanks again for any input from you guys who make this forum very helpful.