Trans reverse issue, looking for other opinions
 

1986 560SEL. When engaging reverse, theres a few seconds delay and a very hard slam into gear. All forward gears are fine and smooth shifting. I'm thinking reverse clutches are probabaly toast but wanted to toss it out there to the experts before I tear into it.
I'm going to sell it soon and don't want to get too much into it if its anything more, such as drums or brake bands needing replacement. I'll just throw another trans in if thats the case.

thanks

Good god, no replies.

Anyone got a clue? I may put a fresh set of mounts in it, the trans mount is definitly shot.

bump!

Reverse clutches are the MOST common failure of that & all 722.3 transmissions! Don't wait or you will need a new/different trans!

Mine has the same symptoms. Apparently it's a common trait for this era and the age of the car.

In another car, not a Mercedes, I used a bottle of trans additive (I forget what brand) and within a week, it started working much more smoothly. I think it swells and reseals leaky gaskets and o-rings. I don't know how long those quick fixes last tho. I got rid of the car a few months later.

are you using dino or synthetic fluid?ive found switching to a synthetic an easy cure for many tranny foibles.give it a little time to work.at least several weeks to a month :cool:

If a trans is on it's way, I've been able to buy time using Lucas trans fix in a bottle.. It's like motor honey for your transmission..get's the line pressure up add's friction modifiers to help the clutchs grab.prob. akin to type F fluid.

So if $$ is a bit of a concern at the present moment, this stuff will buy you some time.

Jonathan

Well, time is more of a concern to me at the moment. I've got quite a few projects going currently. I had basically bought the car to fix and sell- when someone tried to move the car from where I had it parked at work- with one of the heads off... so after a lot more time and money later to fix all that, it runs great now, it just knocks your teeth loose when engaging reverse (I try to let it roll backward in neutral before engaging reverse ;) )