the shift to 3 requires dropping the front band and picking up the front clutch pack and as such i would expect you to find the clutches worn in that drum.you can replace those and the reverse clutches with minimally invasive surgery.

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David S Poole
European Performance
Dallas, TX
4696880422

"Fortune favors the prepared mind"
1987 Mercedes Benz 420SEL
1988 Mercedes Benz 300TE (With new evaporator)
2000 Mercedes Benz C280
http://www.w108.org/gallery/albums/A...1159.thumb.jpg

I have the same problem with my 300SL. Have already replaced the K1, replaced fluid & filter, etc. and it did nothing at all. Here's my plan:

1. Make sure the modulator holds vacuum, and the little plastic cap isn't cracked (search the forum.. these are two common problems).

2. Run a can of Seafoam Trans Tune through. I've heard good things about this. http://www.seafoamsales.com/transTuneTech.htm

3. Drive the car hard for a bit

4. Drain the fluid and replace filter.

5. Fill with Mobil 1 ATF, including 1 can of Trans-X (also heard good stuff about this)

6. Test car. Hopefully fixed

7. Take car to shop to have transmission rebuilt.

What does 'minimally invasive' mean by the way.. Is it something that can be done with the pan off, or does it require transmission removal??

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'83 300SD 335,000km (207k) mi SOLD
'87 560SL 163,000km (101k mi) SOLD
'86 300SDL 356,000km (220k mi) SOLD
'92 500SEL 250,000km (155k mi) SOLD
'90 300SL 140,000km (87k mi) SOLD
'01 S430 260,000km (161k mi) SOLD
'03 SL500 167,000km (104k mi) SOLD
'07 S550 4MATIC 235,000km (146k mi) SOLD
'07 GL320 CDI 4MATIC 348,000km (215k mi)
'13 GL350 BlueTec 4MATIC 170,000km (105k mi)
'14 SL550 72,000km (43k mi)

Yes, I too would like to know a bit more about the meaning of "minimally-invasive."

Thanks

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

What David is reffering to still requires removing the transmission. From there, the pump housing can be removed to rebuild only the problematic drum in an hour or so. Rebuilding the drum on the other side of the planetary assembly requires taking the tail shaft, aux pump and govenor apart to gain access. A Lot more parts to deal with and time consuming. This is basically half a rebuild. I may do this since the rest of the trans still shifts hard.

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Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

If it's an hour it's a lot less than half - I think the book as a complete rebuild at about 13 hours of labor, R and R at about 6-7 hours.