Transmission Troubles, Maybe? 1993 300D 2.5 Turbo
 

Stopped at the ATM this morning. Went to drive off and the car would hardly move. It was shaking while trying to make forward motion. I put it back in park then back to drive and it shifted flawlessly all the way back home (4 miles). I cannot get it to repeat the symptoms. The car does have ASD and I almost wonder if it's not ASD related. When I purchased the car there was some "chatter" when turning at low speeds. New synthetic oil in the differential solved that along with fresh hydraulic fluid in the ASD reservoir. Just wondering if I may have been prolonging the inevitable with the ASD.

Anyway, I have two spare transmissions if I need to replace mine. One trans is from a '95 E300, the other is from a '92 300D. I know the '92 would be the obvious choice, BUT its two hours away from me while the '95 is down in behind the shop. Will the '95 interchange with my '93?

Thanks!!!

Please keep this updated I'm interested in knowing if the 95 tranny will work as well. I don't see how it's any different to be honest.

Shifter bushings getting worn?

+1 shifter bushings. They can be changed with the transmission in the car.

Okay, thanks for the replies.
 

Would worn shifter bushings allow the trans to be partially engaged in drive allowing some forward motion with shaking? I've changed out shifter bushings before, but have only experienced the tell tale rattle from the shifter. I've never experienced a partial engagement of the transmission.

Doing a fluid and filter change this morning, so I'll check the bushings while I'm crawling around underneath the car today.

The shifter in my SDL rattles (sounds like loose washers). Wasn't aware this was a symptom of worn bushings since I don't seem to have any issues selecting any of the gears.

Is there a good how-to on replacing the bushings? Seems worth my time if for no other reason than to get rid of that rattle.

For what it's worth to the OP, the only issue I've had with mine has been a no-start issue once that was cured by running the shift lever back and forth through the gears.

I would have suspected the park brake was engaged or the shutoff actuator vacuum signal didn't fully vent.

There's a dozen ways to press in new bushings including a special tool. Some soften bushings with a hot soak. I prefer liberal Silglyd, a couple of sockets and big channel locking pliers.

Sixto
83 300SD

We can rule out the bushings.
 

The shifter bushings are intact. No "slop" in the shifting rod. We'll see how the fluid and filter change work out.

I have the pan off. The fluid is dark. It's old. It's not black, but it's dirty. Before I dropped the pan this morning, I drove the car around the block a few times. It shifted flawlessly. I'm suspicious of the ASD. Time will tell, I guess.

IIRC ASD tightens a clutch in the differential so the wheels tend to turn together. It doesn't apply brakes to redirect torque. I don't see how ASD can cause the symptoms you describe.

Sixto
83 300SD

Wait and see...
 

New filter and new fluid (synthetic, just to start a "discussion" ��). I have driven it up and down the road. Shifting flawlessly.

When I removed the pan and inspected its contents I did see three very small flakes of what appeared to be clutch disc material. I'm sure at 261k I am on borrowed time with this transmission. Pretty sure. I sure wish someone would chime in with a definitive answer as to whether or not the trans from my '95 E300 parts car will directly swap with my '93 300D trans. Inquiring minds want to know. ��

They're different enough that MB changed the designation from 722.418 to 722.435. It'll probably work but I would think the 2.5 torque converter is the way to go. Have you measured case length and output flange size? Are you sure the .435 isn't similarly in debt timewise?

Sixto
83 300SD

722.5 is longer not sure if swapping the tail shaft is an option. It also has the lock up feature but that should be easy to deal with.

Update!
 

I've been driving my '93 for the past few weeks after changing the fluid and filter in the transmission. The issue that prompted the fluid and filter change has not manifested itself again. I've put around 2k plus miles on it since then and all has been well.

Concur, ASD is NOT a factor here. Also, if ASD decided to engage for some reason, the yellow triangle warning in the center of the speedometer would have lit up. That is hard to miss.