Originally Posted by S-Class Guru

Yeah, welcome to the 722 tranny. The reverse clutch plates just wear out sooner, due maybe to the super low gearing/torque load as they drop into gear.
I was one of the successful ones, I guess. I caught the problem early, when it just got a bit slow going into reverse. I ordered up a kit, dropped the tranny, went into the front, and the first thing looking at me were the worn out reverse plates. Pretty easy to get to and replace. I just didn't see the need for the extra risk of taking everything else apart, since it all looked and worked great, and my labor was free if I needed to go back in later.
(I actually did go ahead and replace the 2nd gear plates also, and had a little issue with them shifting different. Wish I had left them alone, they looked new).
But, as stated above, If you don't really love crawling under cars as a hobby, and don't have plenty of tools, jacks, time, and some experience in trannys, then probably buying a rebuilt is the best bet. As I said, the reverse plates are quick and easy when you get the tranny on the bench, but I wouldn't do just that if I was paying a shop to do all the R&R labor.

DG