shifty stuff!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dwcars · #1 02-28-2009, 02:48 PM

I’m so excited that I just had to tell you folks what I did.

Back in December I bought an ’88 SL with 162,000 on the clock. The car was immaculate and came with books and records through the 142,000 mile service. There were several items that I felt needed doing so I dug up a reputable shop (?) and scheduled in. I changed the oil and filter (To Rortella synthetic 5W-40 from Valvoline 10W40), and replaced the sub-frame mounts, the engine mounts, and transmission mounts. On the second visit, I had him change the door strikers, replace the thermostat, and service the transmission using synthetic ATF that I supplied. The car rides and drives beautifully and I don’t have to slam the doors any more.

What I am excited about is this. I could not glean from the records when the last trans service had been performed. When I would start the car and put it in reverse to back out of the driveway, it would clunk into reverse. In forward, you could feel the shifts with it being a bit heavy going into 4th. So to be safe, I had the trans serviced. This morning when I went to back the car out, it went instantly into reverse with no clunk. As I drove away, the car shifted so smoothly that I could hardly feel it. The shift to 4th was still discernible, but not heavy like before the service.

I now have a real Mercedes that rides and drives like a Mercedes should and I am ecstatic. I would HIGHLY recommend to any SL owner that he use Synthetic ATF and the next service. Now if I could only find someone to convert the injection to Mega Squirt, I would be in heaven.

Dexter
’88 MB 560SL
’55 Studebaker President Coupe
(2) ’57 Chevy sport coupes
’32 Ford 3-window coupe

RC4U12 · #2 03-01-2009, 04:45 PM

would synthetic be recomended if theres any chance of worn prts or clutches?? i need to do mine but thought this would not be good on an old car..Jeff

RC4U12 · #3 03-01-2009, 04:48 PM

Oh about the MS conversion..if you have any mechanical ability you should be able to do it yourself,,you can get the board prebuilt go to megamanual.com for more info{or maybe youve been there}..Jeff

LUVMBDiesels · #4 03-01-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RC4U12

would synthetic be recomended if theres any chance of worn prts or clutches?? i need to do mine but thought this would not be good on an old car..Jeff

I did my 300SD with 211,000 miles with good results and have done my 300SDL with 300,000 miles. So far I have not had any issues...
I used Valvoline synthetic in the 300Sd and M1 in the SDL.