240d can't back up
 

I have a 1975 240D with 107550 miles .It was working fine:good compression does not burn that much oil. This morning on the parking lot of my local Kmart the old lady was unable to back up, when I put it on reverse it is like nothing happened like neutral. I waited until the car in front of me left to drive the car home it shifted perfectly it did not slip at all. I checked the linkage going to the tranny, everything look fine,when I put it on park I got the wheels lock, when on Drive It start moving forward.I have noticed that it is really easy to move the shift from park to reverse more easily than before. I have also checked the fluid level and it is ok.I am really worry. Does anybody had that problem?Any advice would be appreciated.
Didier
1975 240D

It sounds like the front band is not working. Check the adjusting bolt at the passenger side near the front of the transmission. They do come loose. If it's not that, then either the servo is leaking (opposite side of trans) or the band is broken :(
Regards,
Randy D.

1. You checked the fluid level with the engine warm?

2. Before the trouble, was there a few seconds of hesitation between when you put it into reverse and when you felt the transmission kick in? This would be the first symptom towards the condition that Randy is talking about. There is a square head bolt on the passenger side of the tranny that has a lock nut on it. Loosen the lock nut, turn the bolt in 2 turns and retighten the lock nut. If that had an effect, then that band needs to be adjusted some more.

3. You may have a damaged bushing in the shift linkages and the "R" position in the cabin may not correspond to the reverse position on the transmission itself. (it's a couple of 2$ bushings if this is the problem).

Put the emergency brake on, chock a front wheel, and put the car in reverse (engine NOT running). Crawl under the car and check out the linkage on the driver's side. There is a metal bar going to the tranny. Disconnect it from the transmission. Does the little lever arm on the transmission drop into a a notch that's just a bit off from where the rod had placed it? You should be able to control that lever by hand and find each of the gear positions. There is a large distance between park and reverse, then a short distance between all the other gears.

Let us know how you make out on the diagnostics.

-CTH

Since this same post is running in two forums I'll just paste my previous reply:

Your trans has an adjustable reverse band. It is the problem half of the time, maybe more. The rest of the time the servo piston breaks or blows its seal. Both problems can be dealt with from the outside with the trans in the car.

I am having this problem and I'm going to check the band adjustment tomorrow... however, I've been looking at my breakdowns for a servo...

"servo piston breaks or blows its seal"???

what is this and where is it?

thanks

Something else you might want to think about is hard to find "Redline Tranny Fluid Additive"....... yeah i know, it sounds like snake oil - buts its gotten rave reviews elsewhere here on www.peachparts.com for reviving bands and giving em some grip.

reverse
 

I had the same thing happen to my '76 300D. It took my great mechanic about 5 minutes to adjust it. (for free). A transmission shop wanted to replace the transmission at a WOW price. Go to a good MBZ shop and have them check it.

:cool: