I'm 5 hours from home,when I put transnMission in reverse it grabs like the parkingon
 

My 1995 e300d is now acting up just after dropping my daughter off for a college visit. When i put the tranny in reverse it grabs tight like the parking brake is on. No idea where to start. Could it be the parking brake? Yesterday I replaced the ball joints, can't see how there is any connection but.......

Google Search = Mercedes automatic transmision locks up in reverse

Mercedes Benz 300E Locks Up In Reverse

I would have said something like the Shifter Bushing or the Shifter Arm slipping on the Shaft and ask if you checked the ATF Fluid Level and Color.

The bad news is that it isn't the parking brake. The good news is that that particular failure generally doesn't affect the forward gears. Chances are outstanding that you can make it home. Just don't park anywhere requiring that you back up, unless it's downhill in the backing direction. If the problem occurs just after start-up, giving the transmission some time to develop pressure will sometimes provide some relief.

Well what happens is it goes in reverse for a few feet that stops so I became good at putting it in reverse then neutral, then reverse, then neutral etc etc. This works for me but my wife looked at me as if I had three heads. No way for her! :(

Thanks for the the link, it appears spot on what the problem is.

I think the Wife is right in this case. To continue using Reverse increases the chances of making things worse than they already are.

What I noticed in the Link the Guy said something like Mercedes Automatic Transmissions not a specific year range or models. That makes Me suspect that it can happen to any Mercedes Automatic Transmission.

Would you have any idea if your diagnosis is correct what the charge to do this work would be? Thanks

I am not sure who this is addressed to?

In My post what happend in that Site Link it is just something that I found when I did the internet search. It is just an example of what happened to that persons Transmission and what fixed it.
Also notice that the Car in the link is an earlier model than yours. I don't know if it even has the same Model of Transmission.

In My case if it was something that Part mentioned is one that I could get with the Transmission in the Car I would pull out the part Myself.

You might try to find some more info on the symptoms by calling several Transmission Shops and ask the their opinion. In this case the symptoms are very specific.; that might mean there is few issues that could cause it.

Thanks 911, Im hoping that is the problem since it does not seem like that big of an issue.Sad to say but transmission shops seem to be the least trustworthy shops out there in the field. However there is a local shop that is pretty trust worthy.I used them years ago for other work that was not transmission related. They didn't like working on foreign cars but now have a guy with some MB experience.

Hey 911, would you know how difficult it would be to replace the spring, washer and reverse piston as an assembly in the tranny? Is it very accessible? I have replaced springs before on these transmissions but only when I know exactly what to do and have pictures to refer to. Thanks

No. I have only changed the B2 Piston and of course the Filters on a 722.315.

I am not entirely sure that your Transmission even has that particular part.
In the link I gave it looks like that guy had a 722.5** Transmission. Yours may be a 722.6** or ?. Not sure the parts are the same.

The transmission shop said that to diagnose this problem the tranny must come out. Just removing the pan will not allow him to access the problem areas. He said its most likely hydraulic.

So just to do this would be a minimum of $1100. Forget it this could lead up to $2000 in no time. I honestly thought these guys would have been more reasonable especially when they said they would take out and install a rebuilt tranny for $667!

Anyone have any leads on a used trannys that would fit this? When I check car-parts.com they only had on one with 260,000 on it. ANother site listed trannys from the E320 but not sure what troubles I would have after installing a gas engine powered transmission.

There is some kind of mercedes 1992 (and 1995) "300 series" at the pick and pull near my house... Unfortunately that's the wrong side of the country for you and I don't know how to pull a transmission anyway :(