PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

Stevo · #12 11-03-2012, 12:02 PM

I am passing along this message from someone I know nothing about but since I have this rattle in two of my three 5 spd 123s, I thought I would post it. A couple years ago when I saw this post I switched from Red Line MTL to Mobil One 5W /30. Now I only hear the rattle on start up and it goes away when I rev the engine. I am curious if any other five speed Getrag owners have experienced this.

"I just got this email in response to an inquiry that I sent to "Metric Motors" about working on

transmissions. I honestly can't remember how I found them. But anyway, this sounds like a pretty

definitive answer:

My note to them was as follows:

"I understand that you specialize in BMW, but hope you might have information on this problem. I

have a Euro-market Mercedes 300d, 5 cyl diesel, natural aspirated, with 5 speed Getrag 00

transmission. Transmission works fine, but makes an irritating clanking rattle at idle WITH THE

CLUTCH ENGAGED. I seem to recall reading that Porsche 944\'s had a problem like this with a

Getrag 5-speed.

Questions:

1) Are you familiar with this transmission? (I don\'t have a model number, but could get one.) Is this

a familiar problem?

2) Can you get parts for Getrags of this age?

3) Would you be willing to repair it? I live in Maine, but it\'s light enough to ship.

4) If the answer is \"no\" to #3, can you recommend a shop (hopefully east coast) that is familiar

with these.

Thanks very much."

Their response:

"Hello SEa,

What you are describing is a Reverse Idler Gear - also know as an Idler Gear or Auxiliary Gear.

It's a common problem with Getrag Transmission. Among BMWs, the 260, 240 and 280 and 250

all share this same problem. From the factory, there is a shaft in the Tranny, that supports the

Reverse Idler Gear and it is NOT shimmed properly against the case (too much clearance.)

Somewhere after 125,000 to 150,000 miles and/or without regular oil changes, the rattle develops.

To fix it (in a BMWanyway), the entire transmission must be disassembled and reshimmed. Your

transmission won't break or prevent you from getting home but it is annoying.

All that said, we do occasionally receive inquiries like yours - about working on Getrags for other

car models.

Sadly, it is not that simple. Our expertise is only with BMWs so we won't be able to do the repair

for you.

Also, we really don't know of a shop that can."