Army,

I like your motto on myth busting the attitude of "Transmission Repair", and many think once the transmission fails it is time to get rid of vehicle; Many great vehicles can be found for a super bargain for sale with transmission problems, but 10 years ago I was one of those who got rid of the vehicle when the transmission failed. I took the motto of what a close friend said "once it breaks-down I cannot break-it more by fixing it!"

Why not fix it? The "buy-in" on parts was only 220 USD a 10th to 15th the cost of paying the cheapest service center.. plus I would come back with wealth of knowledge!! What is knowledge? POWER in these times, so the risk worth the gamble...

On the 722.5, I wish my 1996 S320 did not have the 722.5 as the aftermarket replacement parts vendors are only a few in the USA, and the aftermarket literature is full of holes in the process', and the diagrams are missing, or have to many parts on them. Spit64 needed help with clear cut process to dissemble the 722.5, and I'm glad I had dissembled mine. I am soooo happy here in the USA we have Mercedes-EPC for parts look-up which is great help to qualify the repair process because the parts are exact to vehicle's VIN serial number.

As you can see, the 722.5 DOES NOT HAVE a secondary/auxiliary pump.

About the assembly, from my view, The problem will come from two spots:

1) The free-floating clutch pack on the outside of front the planetary gears

2) installing the K2 is a real pain, and hard to line-up with the planetary gear case

I talked with a 18year old kid that never repaired a transmission. Repaired a 722.5 if he can do it. I too have the same opportunity, so I'm fearless on this project..

Martin