722.6 leak at rear

1998 ML320 53K (post harmonic balancer failure, unrelated) drops one or two drops of tranny fluid on the driveway every day starting about a month ago (bitterly cold NE weather). Fluid appears to be weeping from around the parking lock cable at the rear of the tranny on the drivers side. Checked the fluid level with the MB tool (also checked temp with a flexible thermocouple probe) and it’s still right on the money although not even close to red. Is this a common thing with these “sealed” units? Does the leak get worse? If I was to DIY a fluid/filter change, how difficult is it to replace whatever seals are on the parking lock cable? Does anyone have a diagram of what’s involved? I’m thinking of fashioning a diaper for the tranny, but fixing the leak would be preferable if needed.

I have the same problem with my 1998 C280 and have not found a deffinate sollution as of yet. I have though ordered the part which I think is the problem. Its not actually the cable but the linkage that goes into the tranny that the cable attaches to. The part is rather cheap like $18-$20 I believe. I can get the part number and diagram if you still need it. Just let me know if I can help you further or if you have found a solution that has fixed your problem.

Regards, Christopher

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'98 C280 White on Tan

-=Santa Bring me a C43=-

Wizo - please share the part number and diagrams and any inofrmation for the forums benefit.

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2010 ML350 Bluetec
2012 Mustang Convertible

Here is the diagram and the part I am refering to is item 45 in the picture. The part number for the linkage is 140.270.1365. Please remember to have the Dealership look up your VIN to verify this to be the part you need as it may differ from my 1998 C280.

Regards, Christopher

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'98 C280 White on Tan

-=Santa Bring me a C43=-

To order replace that linkage (45) you have to remove trans oil pan & remove pin(140) push the pin out.btw replace the seal(145) also.

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MB STARS Master Guild Technician,17 years MB tech
14 years independent shop owner

Here's an update after several years. The leak kind of went away for a couple of years after I pressed the black park lock cable adjustment button on the cable end and retracted the cable about 3/8". This was still enough to allow proper shifts, but it retracted the internal cable linkage bellows enough to reduce the leak to an insignificant level. Fast forward to 2007 and 85,000 miles. All of the sudden, ATF drips everywhere. Dreaded the repair to change the cable linkage. Armed with diagrams, $20 replacement linkage, $100 of fluid, a $10 filter, and invaluable tips from Herbert at Eurotrans, I crawled under. This was one of the easiest repairs I had done, as I was going to do the fluid/filter change anyway. The internal bellows on the linkage was torn from years of stretching. I'm reposting this to draw attention to the necessity to change the linkage, if you are going to change fluid/filter. Sooner or later, the cheap little bellows, internal to the transmission, will leak so do yourself a favor and treat it as a preventive maitenance item.