Repairs recently done, and needed again??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Will_w202 · #1 05-30-2005, 10:12 AM

On my Starmark 202, sway bar bushings (and every front suspension component execpt shocks and springs) were replaced at 65k. At 82 or so, another squeak developed in the right front, and now, at 87k, they say the bushings need to be replaced. WTF? 20k miles? What would cause such a quick failure?

The other one that has me even more concerned is the transmission. It started shifted wildly and slamming into gears, and it appears cut-and-dry that the shift selector module has gone south - again. It was just replaced around 70k. The car has 87k; I'm starting to get nervous that I'm going to be doing this work AGAIN on my own dime shortly after 100k!

stevebfl · #2 05-30-2005, 10:24 AM

The bushings should last 100k, unless you live 5 miles down a dirt road, then who knows.

The first reason a set of bushings wouldn't last longer than 20k would be poor installation. They have only one proper orientation and they all require tightening while in the drive condition (sitting on the ground or drive on lift). This last requirement is probably very seldom done since the install can't be done on those lifts. It requires moving the car to a drive on lift and doing this extra step.

Will_w202 · #3 05-30-2005, 12:38 PM

Wow, I will talk top the shop foreman. Thanks. What about the shift selector? I can't believe it went south after 15k.

stevebfl · #4 05-30-2005, 12:45 PM

Since you didn't state the car, I wouldn't begin to guess at the trans problem.

Will_w202 · #5 05-30-2005, 01:07 PM

I guess I need to add a signature. Same car as always, 97 202, C230

stevebfl · #6 05-30-2005, 01:18 PM

Well, now we have a pattern failure to discuss. Just did one last week. Since you have the early version 722.6 trans probably with an early valve body, I would suggest looking at the control pressure spring.

The car we just fixed had what I call double shifts at weird points. A shift would be felt and then coming up right behind would be a harsher shift (all for one gear change). Hard to describe, even though I have now had the problem three times (in different cars of course). The 98 on models have the new valve body that fixed the problem.

I can't remember the spring number (140 997 xx xx) and it isn't in the parts program so I can't look it up. I would imagine that it has been discussed here before. I'll take a look.

Will_w202 · #7 05-30-2005, 03:44 PM

Interesting, maybe I should bring that up. Shop foreman stated pretty clearly that's what it is (shifter module, the one that can get screwed up from spilling water in it, etc - which I did NOT do), but it was just done 15k ago. The trans has a new conductor plate and had the fluid done at 70k. Valve body has been removed now twice to change out other parts, but to my knowledge has not been replaced. That's all I know. No other shifting issues in the last 15k.

stevebfl · #8 05-30-2005, 03:58 PM

Well, a 97 doesn't have a shift module it has a voltage coded switch. Although many dealer techs like to replace the whole thing (which is the only way with a module) the shifter assembly can be disaasembled and just the switch replaced on the cars that have D,4,3,2,1,. Cars with modules have -D+

I would be real tuff on any tech who doesn't know about the control pressure spring though. First of all it is just so easy to check. All one has to do is remove the pan and pull off the front valve plate. The VB does not need to be removed or disassembled.

Will_w202 · #9 06-01-2005, 05:34 PM

Well, they replaced the shifter module again and all seems well. Yes, they still referred to it as a "module," so who knows. FYI, the sway bar bushings were about the only thing not replaced for my last squeak. Both sets of control arms and their bushings had been done, but not the sway bar. So, normal wear. Get this - the steering play, which I have complained about for 20k miles, finally got resolved - new steering box/rack, and an alignment. Holy crap!! This is the most noticeable repair ever done, other than trans repair. The car feels totally different, no play, and I am wishing this had been done 20k ago. Supposedly they "don't wear" as I had been told before. Makes me wonder what else I need to have done while under warranty that I might be missing...........

Will_w202 · #10 06-04-2005, 06:59 PM

They replaced the "module" again, which had already been done at 71k, nd 2 days and 70 miles later, the same thing is happening. There is a direct correlation between the car starting in 3rd gear, not downshifting to first when coming to a stop, slamming into gear, and the shifter itself being out of position. It's as though there is some misalignment that causes the shifter to move slowly out of "D" and just above it, and when it does this I have to move it into park and row it back to "D," else I can't get it back into gear. When I did this last night it developed some slop between P and R, and I could get it to actually hang halfway between the 2 positions and not pop back like it usually does. I don't know how else to describe this. When I told them the symptom originally, they seemed to know exactly what the issue was, and supposedly the "implausible" codes backed this up. But it's clearly something else. IdeaS?