Greetings,
I second the previous thread, I just completed replacement of the parking lock cable linkage on a 722.6 on a 98 ML320. This is our second vehicle with a 722.6, and they both leaked at this linkage. If anyone is even thinking of changing their fluid and filter, thus dropping the pan, do yourself a favor and change the linkage, because if you don't, it WILL leak. Part is $20, and it takes an extra one hour, including flushing your eyes (wear goggles), and disinfecting and band-aiding your forehead (the goggles would have helped).

Changing the park lock cable linkage:
1. Drop pan (instructions elsewhere)
2. Grab beige connector at end of cable, turn counterclockwise about 30 degrees, pull back.
3. remove torx off the black plastic linkage piece that goes into tranny housing.
4. Had to check with Herbert at Eurotrans on this next step, for fear of doing damage; take a sharp blade screwdriver and a hammer, put screwdriver between tranny housing and the tapered end of the pin that's holding the lever that the plastic linkage attaches to, and give it a gentle wack to dislodge the pin.
5. Remove pin enough to free the spring and lever, disconnect linkage and remove from tranny housing. You will note at this point that the reddish bellows has a cut or wrip. That's why this is leaking. A freaking 50 cent rubber bellows.
6. Reassemble with new linkage. Place linkage through housing, then attach to lever, then place pin through lever not forgetting the spring, only then attach linkage to housing with torx screw. Press black button on cable end to retract cable, then attach to linkage by inserting and turning clockwise till it clicks. You are done with cable.
7. service tranny with new filter and fluid.


This repair was scary at first, but even more scary was the 600-700 quoted for the repair. This job was slightly more complicated than oil change, not as bad as a water pump. Go for it! Total cost $20 for linkage, $10 for filter, you can reuse the thick rubber oil pan gasket, about $120 for fluid.

Lad