Tom,
Thanks for the input.
Am I correct in assuming that you think it is a problem with the ring gear on the flywheel?
I think I read somewhere that the engine must be removed to replace the flywheel. On my Corvette it can be done with the engine in place after transmission is removed but I do not know if same is true for Benz's . If the engine must come out, that will likely open Pandora's box and a host of problems. I say that becasue 10 years ago my Corvette paint needed to be freshened up a bit and one thing led to another culminating in a 10 year long restoration of the entire vehicle.
Kurt