I have a 1995 SL 600. 65,300 original miles.

Whenever I start the car, I allow it to warm up. During this time, I hear a grinding, mechanical-sounding noise from the passenger-side rear (right near the tail light). The noise continues for two, three-plus minutes at a time.

I went to three mechanics. Two claimed they couldn’t hear it. One claimed it was the self-leveling adjustment. Why does it take over three minutes to level off a perfectly-still car? I didn’t get a satisfactory answer.

Anyway…

The first time I put my car in reverse every day, it resists me all the way back. It jiggles, it shakes, it bounces…but it goes backwards.

The rest of the time I use the car…it’s fine. No noise. No chuckle-buck when I back up. Just that initial backing out of my parking space.

NOW….the two mechanics who claimed not to hear the noise now say that I need a new transmission. All of the other gears are fine, and only the first reverse of the day is rough, so forgive me for being skeptical.

I don’t think it’s the tranny. I don’t WANT to think it’s the tranny, so yes, I’m biased.

Here’s my question:

Do you think that initial reverse has anything to do with the noise I’m hearing on my initial start up?

Thank you for all your help.