The B-2 transmission band in my '85 300TD broke.

For a knowledgeable transmission mechanic (30 years experience with diesel MBs), how many hours of labor would be involved with a diagnosis and replacing the transmission band?

How much is the current hourly rate for such a mechanic?

This repair is beyond my skill level.


Thanks

__________________
JWJ
1983 MB 300D - > 430,000 miles - Deep Blue - Bilstein Comforts - 0-60 in 24 seconds - 27MPG
1985 MB 300TD (wagon) - > 275,000 miles - Manila Beige - Thule rack - 0-60 in 18 seconds - 22 - 25MPG
Biodiesel, Mobil Delvac 1, and Viton fuel lines!

you are looking at least over a $1000 repair after everything said and done. between removing the tranny, diagnosis charges, part prices and mark ups, labor and reinstalling the tranny a grand at least.

I've done bands on transmissions and depending on the transmission it can be a walk in the park or a nightmare.

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1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)

I'd look for a good used one at this point.

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1987 VW Jetta Mk II - Daily Driver
1992 W201 2.3 - sold
1985 W126 380se - sold
1985 W123 OM617.952 - sold
1981 W123 OM617.912 - sold
1986 W201 2.3 - sold
1979 W123 OM 617.912 - sold

The mechanic is now quoting me $1450.00 for the job (with a 12K/1yr warranty).

Reasonable?

__________________
JWJ
1983 MB 300D - > 430,000 miles - Deep Blue - Bilstein Comforts - 0-60 in 24 seconds - 27MPG
1985 MB 300TD (wagon) - > 275,000 miles - Manila Beige - Thule rack - 0-60 in 18 seconds - 22 - 25MPG
Biodiesel, Mobil Delvac 1, and Viton fuel lines!

How do you know that the band is broken, without tearing into the tranny?

__________________
Dave
1983 300D Daily Driver

That's what I was wondering. Replacing the B-2 piston is not outside your skill level. Why don't you try that first?

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1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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Agree with DannyM. $1400 isn't too awful, but if that just fixes the acute problem, doesn't go far enough. Might as well get new clutches etc while its out and apart.

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)