1984 300TD, 1st normal takeoff, transmission kicks from 2nd to 3rd gear too much. Rest of the gears are all smooth, better than new. All vacumes and modulators and kick down cable, valve body and complete transmission rebuilt. Need advice on this issue.

1982 280SE W126. Exactly the same problem.
Car has done 100,000 miles of city driving only.

Any ideas ?

Doug

Could you be alittle more specific about your concern. Is it on the 1-2 shift or the 2-3 shift. What is a kick? Does it shift harshly? Is there a flare inbetween any shifts. What version is your car? CA and 48 state vac routings were different. As were the vcv valve operation. Has the pressures been checked? If the modulator was replaced it needs to be adjusted with a pressure gadge. Not buy the seat of your pants feel.
Is the control pressure cable adjusted to no tension or 1/2 ball tight?

My problem is worse on the 2-3 shift. The 1-2 shift is just o.k , the 2-3 is horrible and the 3-4 much better normal.

The harshness of the shift feels like a slight pause when shifting and then a surge forward. There is no flaring or slipping at all. It is worse at light throttle (especially when going downhills) and also worse when the car has warmed up.


I have adjusted the bowden cable to be slack at idle - I have heard about the 1/2 ball adjustment. What is this supposed to achieve ?

I have been trying to adjust the new modulator by the seat of my pants - but no settings are any good.

Is it time for a new (expensive) auto trans ?

Doug McCutchan

I got the same problem like yours,
The tranny shift perfectly except
2 to 3. No slip but a hard push.
Appreciate if you some could same
the experience. Can the valve
body cause this ? BTW, I just the
the tranny overhaul and replace
all the cluths and brake bands.

Thanks.

I just received information from Lynda Janzen, (a very knowledgeable figure in the alt.auto.mercedes newsgroup) that transmission books are available from ASTG in Miami, Florida. 305-670-4161. You have to provide them with your transmission model number, which should be 722.303. I would double check this number, though.

Whoops, just found out ASTG is a transmission Tech Help hotline that is subscriber based catering to repair shops. Subscribers pay an annual fee and call in when they get into a jam and need to consult with someone.
Anyway, the select manuals are written by their technicians and cover only teardown and re-assembly.
So far the only booklets ($15 each) available for MB are for 722.34 and 722.5 transmissions. I have no idea which models these go into.
Their e-mail is astgmiami@aol.com.

the first thing that all of you should start with is to replace each and every rubber vacuum hose you see in the engine compartment. You can't always tell their condition by looking at them, and they are cheap, so just replace all of them and make sure you have an absolutely airtight seal at every connection. I would use silicone vacuum hose if you can find it, since it seems to shrink down onto whatevery it is connected to and you pretty much have to cut it off if you want to remove it. I cleared up all kinds of shifting problems just by replacing vacuum hose. There is also a chance that the vacuum modulator on the valve cover housing is leaking or worn out - another cheap item - just replace it. You should also clean the ALDA pressure junction (a small threaded elbow) at the back of the intake manifold. And lastly, try disconnecting the EGR valve and plugging off the vacuum line that runs to it, the EGR can also be a source of vacuum problems. Good luck.

Greg

I got my problem resolved by
replacing the valve body.
Thanks.