300SDL transmission, ever replace/repair one? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Oil_burner · #1 12-09-2004, 07:28 PM

Looking for advice on whether or not to consider tackling a transmission on my '87 300SDL. It has less than 100k on the clock. My indy thinks that it has problems with the planetary gears (see earler posts). From people here and others I have talked to at two MB dealers it is more likely the front pump. One service manager said it could even be just the seal - says a pump that is "starved" for fluid can whine. It is leaking fluid fast - about 1qt/10mi. It whines even when not in gear. Not real loud, but a very noticeable whine. Otherwise shifts just fine and seems ok. Yea, yea, I know that is a huge leak; it is not being used right now.

I figure worst case I get it off and have to replace it with a rebuilt. This is my backup car and I am not in a big hurry. My indy has had it now for 3 weeks (yes three); and has not yet got me a price. The stealership say he would do it for a mere $3500. Anybody out there ever replaced or repaired one? How difficult is it to do all of the adjustments? Special tools needed? Please share how much of a pain it was. Thanks.

rs899 · #2 12-09-2004, 08:15 PM

I have not done a Mercedes transmission, but I have rebuilt a Ford C-4. Replacing the front pump or the seal should be very easy. Even if you take the tranny out , then chicken out and take it to a shop, you will still save all the cost of the grunt work of remove/install. And with so few miles on it, I would think you wouldn't have to tear into the guts of it to replace the steels and the clutches. If it turns out to be the planetary, though, that's pretty much in the middle of the works, so that would be a challenge.

If it were me, I'd go for it. Make sure you get an appropriate manual. I think there's a 722.3xx factory manual you can download at the www.mercedeslist.com (the Ritter-Easley list) and there's the ATSG manual as well.

Rick

#3 12-09-2004, 08:27 PM

My father owns a Transmission shop. He had mine taken out and rebuilt it. He told me it wasn't that hard to rebuild. Somewhat different than American made tranny's. I didn't tackle it, but I would have loved to.

mplafleur · #4 12-09-2004, 11:27 PM

I took the one out of my SDL myself, it had 312,000 mile on it. I dropped it off (with torque converter) at these guys...

http://europeantransmission.com/europeanhomepage.html

Picked it up a week later. Cost about $1100. (1-1/2 years ago)

WANT '71 280SEL · #5 02-27-2005, 12:50 AM

mp, do you remember what all was involved in lowering then raising the tranny? I need to do the rear main on my SDL and the tranny has me sort of nervous. I'll be doing the job on a lift and will have a tranny jack, but what is done with the exhaust? Any guesses as to how long as I'd like to be able to finish this the same day its started.

Thanks
David

mplafleur · #6 02-27-2005, 10:07 AM

I removed the engine and tranny both as the engine also needed rebuilding. It took a long afternoon with my brother helping.