Hi Everyone,

I was driving my 72 250 (w114) up a hill, and stopped at stop light. Then when I went to re-accelerate and continue the accent, it didn't get into gear (rev'd like I was in neutral gear)? I put it in park, then back in drive and it went forward no problem.

I have never had any transmission issue before (although it kind of jumps into 1st gear more than my 71). I always thought transmissions kind of start to slip, then get worse, then quit over a more prolonged period of time.

I have a column shifter, which I am not used to (vs. floor shifter).

I guess my question is, does this sound like a "transmission" going bad issue, or something like a "bushing" in the shifter mechanism (I remember when my car rolled out of park and in the street due to worn bushings). could this possibly by some variation of this (ie, slipping out of drive to neutral shift)?

Thanks,

Jub

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Current:
1971 Mercedes Benz 250 (Euro Spec)
1972 Mercedes Benz 250 (US Spec)
Past:
1972 Mercedes Benz 280

It does sound like it fell out of gear probably from bad bushings. I don't know though.

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Past mb: '73 450sl, '81 280slc stick, '71 250, '72 250c, '70 250c, '79 280sl, '73 450sl, parted: '75 240d stick, '69 280s, '73 450slc, '72 450sl,

The trans in question: 722.200
The 722.2 while a 1st gear start trans, remains in 2nd when the car rolls to a stop, and then shifts to 1st as soon as throttle movement is detected.

First highlight above: When you attempted to drive off from a stop on a hill, the 2-1 downshift involves band B1 off, and it requires that a one-way clutch (sprag/freewheel) engage. Probably the sprag slipped, so there was no torque transmitted. When you went to Neutral/Park, and then back to Drive, only band B2 was applied, and the sprag held, hence the trans was then in 1st.

Second highlight above: The 2-1 downshift jump that you are experiencing is consistent with a sprag that first slips and then grabs.

The sprag is becoming quite worn. Mother Benz uses the term "freewheel" for the sprag.

Hi Frank,

That sounds about right (consistent with what I have been noticing). I looked at the sprag part you were talking about (see below pdf link):

Do you know which part in the picture is the sprag (I am trying to locate what it looks like/ where it is)?

http://members.rennlist.org/hilton/722.0-722.1-722.2.pdf

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Current:
1971 Mercedes Benz 250 (Euro Spec)
1972 Mercedes Benz 250 (US Spec)
Past:
1972 Mercedes Benz 280

The reference # on the drawings is 575; there are three different ones in the parts lists as follows:

60575A ..........
Clutch Hub W/Shaft, 722.1 / 722.2 Hollow W/Cam & Hub (1 1/8" Hub)

60575B ..........
Clutch Hub W/Shaft, 722.1 / 722.2 Hollow W/Cam & Hub (1 3/16" Hub)

60575C ..........
Clutch Hub W/Shaft, 722.1 / 722.2 Hollow W/Cam & Hub (1 5/16" Hub)

Unfortunately, the actual ramps of the inner race of the sprag (one-way clutch) are not visible in the drawings.
The ramps of the outer race of the sprag can be seen in the inside of the hub of #579 in the parts drawings.