Have a new to me 240d with rebuilt motor and it supposedly has a new clutch on it and i found a bag of used shift forks in the parts from the PO . ANy way the thing shifts fine but when i down shift and stop at a light and i go to put it in to 1ST it grinds and i have to try a few times before it meshes up . This does not happen every time but 1 out of 3 times . I can put it in to 2nd no prob . I can put it in gear and let off the brake and the engine dose not pull the car so i believe the clutch is working . This is my first MB and i love it Please help I don't want to trash the fine tranny .
Thanks AL

No point in downshifting into first...just go into neutral. I know most cars don't have a synchronized first gear, and will grind if you try to downshift into 1st (unnecessary). Shift into first after you've come to a complete stop, otherwise stay in 2nd.

__________________
Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

It used to be the case that cars didn't have synchronized 1st or reverse but I think this car is sufficiently modern to have at least a synchronized 1st gear. It is true you need not downshift into first - especially if you don't double clutch.

Yours sounds like a classic case of synchro tab wear from years of having the clutch pushed in and immediately trying to force it into 1st gear without waiting a second for the gears to stop spinning.

I've had my truck since it was almost new and it has slowly developed the same problem despite me being pretty gentle with the transmission. Stopping 40 pounds of gears spinning takes it's toll on the synchros.

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

JimSmith has posted about some people having fluids in the trans not authorized by MB...and them having chemical characteristics which eat away the brass or bronze or whatever synchros.
I use Redline MT fluid in mine as a result of his recommendations...

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

I understand the PO to be at a stop and intermittent, when he tries to engage 1st. If on level ground, it should go into 1st without drama, sounds as if the synchro is failing.

__________________
83 SD

84 CD

My non-mb manual car doesn't like to go into first when moving. But since I don't try to do it very often it isn't a problem. I'd make sure you've got the right fluid in there, but otherwise I wouldn't be too worried because honestly the other answer is rebuild your trans.

Does it grind if you slip the shifter briefly to 2nd before selecting first? I had a car with worn 1st gear synchro once, and selecting second before going into first cured the grinding.

__________________
1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

If you put your foot on the clutch, put it into second, back into neutral, leave it there for a few secs (still with your foot on the clutch) then try & put it into first & it grinds, you may have a problem with the clutch dragging.

__________________
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