CLK 430 TRANSMISSION TROUBLE
 

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w208-clk-class/1442215-clk-430-transmission-trouble.html

above is the link to my original post. I don't seem to be getting any input. Hopefully here will be different.

the problem; while driving the car home, there was a slapping noise in idle, and first and second gear, much quieter in 3 to 5th gear. I was able to floor it and it flew. No dash lights no nothing. At idle I put the car up on ramps and felt under the pan was the epicenter of the banging. I pulled the pan, there were chunks of metal, looks like shards of bearing assembly, and lots of filings. The fluid looked like coffee, not sure if there is a leak in the cooler or not. I can't get the valve body to come out of the transmission. Looks like there is an outer connector and an inner connector that needs to separate. I don't know how to do it and I don't want to break it further. Ideally I want to fix what is there. If not I will pull it and put in a 2002 722.632. What steps or what order should I do to get it out?

any advice is appreciated.

any help with the valve body removal is greatly appreciated.

Valve body removal is quite simple,

Drain & remove pan, disconnect & remove electrical connector at front of trans.
remove bolts from valve body & remove v/body.

but there is the black plastic socket that goes through the tranny housing, it just hangs there. Seems there should be a way to separate the internal and external part. Also to remove the Transmission from the CLK do I have to remove the exhaust?

If it looks like a hand grenade went off inside the transmission, attempting to repair the damage may be a bad decision. The cost of the internals can add up fast. The torque converter is going to be loaded with shrapnel, as well as the cooler. I'm pretty sure you can get a decent re-built unit for less than $3000.

trans pan 2.JPG
trans pan 1.JPG

here are pics, don't know if I can copy and paste

here are pics, fire in the hole!

mb doc says the torque converter is attached to the transmission, can I flush the oil cooler or should I just buy that too?

The torque converter can be replaced separately. After looking at the pictures you posted, I'd recommend getting a new one. It'll cost around $1000 if you get one from MB, but you can save some serious money by shopping around. The cooler can be flushed. There's no need to replace it.


Take a look here. http://www.adsitco.com/ I don't have any personal experience with this company, but I've heard some good things, and the prices are great compared to the dealer.

Eh... you may want to search adsitco on this site for many bad experiences with them and look for another source.

btw, to remove that black connector there is a 7mm bolt in the center of it that must be undone before pulling it out. 10 bolts hold the VB to the trans. 6 in front, 4 in back.

yea thanks john hef...I guess it helps if you understand what you are looking at, regarding the 7 mm bolt. I thought it was part of the electronics and not holding the assembly together. I feel like an idiot for not focusing in a little closer and seeing the edges of the hex bolt. Then again, I never took about a mercedes benz transmission. BTW, Do I have to take part of the exhaust out? I found a 2002 722.632 with 64k miles for 900 cash. I will call tomorrow and see if they have the torque converter.

On that car removal of the exhaust is not required, but partial removal of hangers & crossmember support is required.

I've heard about a few shady deals with adsitco, but all the people I know who've actually done business with them were very pleased.

this would be almost enjoyable if My garage didn't leak water and I didn't have transmission fluid caked in my hair. Tomorrow, I am going to autozone to get their $20 creeper. Down to my last bolt on the transmission. The filler pipe is in the way, blocking the last bolt so I need an off-set, or 3" extension to get past it. I have the car off the wheel ramps, and on high jackstands. I bought a 2.5 ton floor jack to help support and lower the tranny tomorrow. the propeller connecter should be easy to get off, then the cross member, I already cracked the bolts on that.

I couldn't drain the torque converter because the exhaust was in the way and the allen keyway started to strip. I think the exhaust may be trouble when it comes time to finally drop. And what a joy it was to turn the engine to get the 6 bolts connecting the flywheel to the torque converter. I would take more pictures, but I am so dirty and the whole area is a mess that I don't want to screw up my camera. All in All, I would say things are O.K. I found a 722.632 from a 02 s class, that I will try to get tomorrow. No Core Charge, so I guess I can play with this broken transmission and try to replace the planetary gears. Oh for a lift and a clean dry workspace!

the transmission is out!!! I had to take out part of the exhaust, the down pipe after the header on the drivers side. I couldn't even fit a tool in there with out removing it. very happy to have that thing out. Now I am thinking of rebuilding the original transmission. It wasn't so bad if you get the right tools. I actually shot some hi-def video. Perhaps I;ll post it at some point.