Well, before I drop the tranny, and go for the B3 discs, I just wanted that
warm feeling that you guys concur on my problem.
DAVID POOLE - HERE'S MY UPDATE ON THE WHITE SE TRANNY.

- Car: '91 300SE with 180k miles.
Fluid/filter changes each 30k.
Drives and shifts like new, except for the "small problem" below.

- Symptom: "rolling/clicking" noise when driving or coasting in Reverse.
Doesn't always do it, maybe 75% of the time, especially when cool.
If I shift to N while coasting, sound goes away immediately.
- Symptom: Some delay (2 seconds) when shifting Park-to-Reverse.
Park-to-D is instant, less than 1 second.
- Symptom: Sound definitely comes from inside tranny. I took it over to
our own David Poole, and naturally is was silent as a lamb (warm).
David inspected the driveline, and wisely suggested I replace the flex disc
and check the center driveshaft bearing before condemming the tranny.
Done - no help.
Yesterday I raised it up, put it in R, and got it to do it; I stuck my
stethescope on the tranny - it's definitely inside the tranny.

- DG's Diagnosis: after reading the archives, and getting an ATSG tranny
manual, I have concluded I have WORN B3 DISCS, AND THE B3 PISTON IS
CONTACTING THE K-1 CLUTCH PLATE CARRIER (click/roll).

AGREE? SOMETHING ELSE POSSIBLY?

- The fix: Pulling the tranny is no biggie - I'm retired and do silly things like
that for relaxation, when it's too rainy for golf.
1. Can I get to the B3 clutch without a bunch of special tools
(compressors, holders, seal installers, etc.)?
2. Will I probably need metal discs as well as the fiber discs, to reach
the required 1.5-2.0mm end play?
(I have never felt any slip in R - I hope I caught this really early).
3. I guess I should do the K1 discs while in there, but I am hesitant to
go much deeper, since the tranny is working perfectly, and has
never even leaked a drop!
4. So, how far can I go before I have to have some of those special $200
tools?
I know you guys will recommend a full overhaul, but I'll probably hold
judgement on that until I see how clean it looks in there.
As I said, it just works too good now, and if it failed later, pulling it
again is no real biggie. (I'm a real Sick-O, I like working on my MB!).

Thanks,
DG