My 85 300SD really clunks and jerks going into Reverse from Drive (no delay, however). Going from Park to Reverse is smooth. I have a habit of shifting into Park before shifting into Reverse from Drive to minimize the the clunk. This being the only Benz I've driven I wonder if this is normal for these cars?

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1985 300SD 99K

what happens if you go from D to neutral (N) leave it for a sec & then go into R ? It sounds like there maybe some issue with a valve in the trans. others on here may know more.
looking at my tech manual for the trans, there are several possible causes. The one that involves reverse only concerns a defective ball in the front transmission cover for a 722.4 trans.
coolant leaks into the trans can also do this.

Hope that helps. The repairs are the sort of thing a trans shop would do unless you have experience with auto trans rebuilding.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

I found this: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=99833

Some of the older transmissions have a tamper proof bolt; that if removed you can go in and adjust the Reverse Band.
This is not possible on my 84 that also has harsh Reverse shifts.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

what is your idle speed? reverse is a very short gear, and will magnify a high rpm. also you could be feeling loose mounts in the diff, or motor.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Interestingly enough, if I pause for a second or two in Neutral, it's smooth. Idle is about 700 (give or take). Motor mounts, Trans Mount, flex disks and center bearing are all fairly new (within the past year). Trans. fluid has about 15K on it and is still red and clear. Shifts just fine at all other times. I don't think I have any coolant leaks into the tranny (at least no mayonaise) It just seems to be a sharp lurch if I go directly from from D to R.

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1985 300SD 99K

Really bad axles will cause that too. I went through all of that with mine. It was so bad that I was convinced that the rear end was shot. It just turned out to be really bad axles.

The clunking/jerking was so bad that it was embarrassing in parking lots.

I did the same thing. Put in new trans. mount, diff. mount, flex discs and carrier bearing. Changing out the axles cured it.

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

It sounds like the the fluid flow to the reverse clutch is a bit quick compared with the release of another clutches. If this is the case, its more a sign of a strong solid trans with good fluid pressure than anything else. In a couple of hundred k miles it will probably have smoothed off. There is a flow restriction that was installed in some 190's, it could be used if you feel like opening up the trans. I would not bother, just take a more relaxed approach to reversing. Just enjoy your Benz!!

Good Luck!!

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

That sounds like a diagnosis I can live with.

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1985 300SD 99K