I have 110,000 miles on my trans - the first half of which were relatively indifferent maintenance, sedate driving; the last half of the miles were very well maintained (usually early fluid changes) but very sporty driving mixed with stop and go freeway driving). Recently, the trans has started making a 1-2 second slip on the 2-3 shift, only on the first shift of the day as I accelerate into the crowded 45 mile zone hiway in front of my house. All other shifts are normal for the rest of the day, with crisp shifts and no hint of slipping.

Also, as I come to a stop, there is a muted clank-click-clunk from the drive train at each stop starting at about 5-7 mph down to completely stopped(the drive train front and rear flex disks were replaced at about 60,000 miles, so may be due again?). With the trans doing this brief slip, however, I wonder if this is also related to the trans instead of the disks.

Any advice or recommendations on this situation would be appreciated!

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

Vacuum to the trans modulator is first thing to check. Need to "T" in a vacuum guage to the modulator & watch the vacuum changes durning the problematic time in the morning. IF the modulator is original that also would be a starting place, replacement!

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

I have the same problem with the transmission ('90 420sel) but not the noise. I have replaced the modulator, put in a K1 kit and changed fluid and filter - still there. This only occurs when it is below 55 deg. Anyone have any other suggestions? (This trans. was just installed two years ago - it was used with around 80,000 miles on it - did this last winter and is starting in on it again this winter.) I can't tell if it is flairing or if it is not wanting to shift.

Thanks for the info! I will check this out asap. Is this modulator the same as the 'AT modulator valve' listed on Fastlane, "Trans: 722.320, Black, Use with 126 277 93 75 modulator valve pin, Year: -1988"?

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

My Tech replaced the modulator, and pulled the trans to re-do some leaking seals (pump seal, B-1 reaction valve, output shaft). While it was out the rear main seal was done, along with the front flex disk. Replacing the differential mount and 4 worn control arms finished the job, and it rides, shifts, and handles like a new car! Thanks for the tip, M B Doc!!!

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

Coooool.

Where are the four control arms, and what do you suspect this cost?

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Hi Paul:

The camber struts and support arm links were replaced this time - 'push pull links were done about 35 k miles ago. The 4 struts were about $185, and the Diff mounts were $30 for parts - labor added about $150. Just part of the added cost of the Sportline Suspension conversion: Tires, brakes, control arm bushings don't seem to last as long, and the gas mileage got worse - don't know why. But it sure got a lot more fun to drive!

I am getting all the mechanical stuff out of the way because the car goes in the body shop next week. A damn street racer passed us on the shoulder of the freeway at about 85-90 a couple of nights ago, and hit a large box of something on the shoulder, knocking it into our front end as he went by. Fortunately "all" it needs is a front bumper - no body work. But while it is in the shop the paintless dent guy is going over the car, and their painters are having me mark all the rock dings and chips so they can 'spot' new paint and clearcoat on the areas. They are also giving me the old license plate bumper filler for me to repair, and installing the solid fill section.

These guys are great - they just did a car for the learning channel car makeover show, and showed me a 450SL that the owner had them repaint to a different color. Remove and replace with new all rubber body, door, and trunk seals, chrome trim, etc so that no trace of the original green paint shows anywhere, heavy prep work removing the green paint, several coats of black with color sanding between steps. A $14k paint job!!! They said I won't be able to find where the spot painting was done when they are done, so we will give it a try. Maybe we can meet up after it is done and catch up on families and cars.

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

You betcha.

I'll be off the last two weeks of December as well......

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".