Weird transmission problem
 

RE: my 1995 E320 wagon. I just drove the car to a friend's house. All forward gears are flawless with no unusual sounds as always. I got to his house, put the car in reverse to back out of the driveway and it was if the parking brake were engaged - sort of. The car seemed to go backwards but with some resistance. I put it in neutral and felt the same effect. I also heard the transmission making a "surging" type sound or a surging moan in both reverse and neutral. The car still drove in the forward gears with no problem or noise. What gives? The fluid is at the correct level and is a bright red. I changed the fluid & filter twice in the past 10,000 since I bought it in July of 2008. It was a bright red when I bought it too.

Sounds like the reverse clutches are worn out & the reverse piston has locked onto the 3rd gear clutch drum.

Oh that's wonderful
 

Thanks, that's just great news... There has to be more written in the archives. What do you recommend I search under - it's such a broad topic (transmissions). "Reverse Clutches" or "Reverse Piston"?

try 722.3 reverse clutches OR piston, both have been "hashed" many times.

Complete trans tear-down required. 95%

ONLY other possibility is the valve body. 5%

Cost-wise is it wiser to buy a remanufactured from MB or from a reputable rebuilder and be done with it or do the job yourself? What do the parts cost approximately for a DIY?