Help! Clutch problem. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kweimer · #1 06-03-2002, 10:55 PM

I have just replaced the manual transmission on a 1973 220D with one from a 1970 220D (PO had let transmission run dry due to a leak at bottom bolt that holds exhaust bracket). Now the clutch slips badly in 3rd and 4th gears and especially up hills. I noted the bellhousings were a little different (appeared to be minor) and that the part numbers were different: The 1970 p/n 115 251 13 01 and the 1973 p/n 115 251 16 01. Is there a dimensional difference in these bellhousings that would prohibit interchange? Clutch driven disk showed very little wear and the pressure plate looked good. I retained the original slave cylinder so as not to have to bleed the clutch hydraulic circuit. Any ideas, anyone?

Ken

HGV · #2 06-04-2002, 12:01 AM

I am thinking back to being on my back under my old and trusty 69 220D. The bell houisng has little to do with the function of the clutch. The tranny imput shaft has little inpact also. What would make a difference is the clutch slave cyinder. If the shaft is to long it might not completely release the clutch plate. I would try swapping out the slave cylinder. When I get to work tomorrow, I will look at my parts book and take a look at the parts numbers. maybe the slave cylinder has a different length. Also, it is almost impossible to look at a pressure plate and tell if it is bad. I remember changing the clutch and leaving the pressure plate in. When I went to drive the car, the pressure plate would not release the clutch plate. had to take the whole thing apart. Just another thought, the throw out bearing could also be different. I will look for you tomorrow.

Henry

HGV · #3 06-04-2002, 12:36 AM

I looked through my garage and found my old manual and parts book. For the model years you mention the clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing and slave cylinder are all identicle. Did you swap clutch disks or pressure plates? Could you have doubled up on the gasket for the slave cylinder or left it out? Did you change the ball pin that the throw out bearing attached to? These would all affect the travel on the pressure plate.
Henry

kweimer · #4 06-04-2002, 07:16 AM

Henry;
Thanks for the quick response. The clutch disc and pressure plate remained with the 1973. The throwout bearing, bearing release fork and ball pin were with the transmission/bellhousing from the 1970---they looked good and showed little or no wear.
I do need to check to make sure the "gasket" was placed between the slave cylinder and the bellhousing since this gasket is about 2mm thick and would make a significant difference(actually, I was letting a friend "get the experience" of changing a transmission as I guided him through the steps---letting him "turn the screws")---this was his car, and as I tell everyone who wants me to work on their car "I don't work on other people's cars" but I am willing to advise and even loan the tools---at my place. As I explain, I want them to be the one to "break off the rusted manifold stud".

On this particular project, for example, the first complaint after we replaced the transmission was "the speedometer does not work" (it did before we started). Despite my caution to fully insert the speedometer cable so the retaining screw would clear the grove in the cable end, I found the end not only not fully seated, but cocked at about a 45 degree angle---with the retaining screw clamping the end in place. I had him fix this---speedometer works. I may very well find the slave cylinder gasket laying on the garage floor.

Believe me, it is much easier to do a job yourself than tell someone else how to do it---I quit fixing other peoples cars a long time ago. But that is another story.

kweimer · #5 06-20-2002, 10:05 AM

Well, I finally got back to my clutch problem. Thanks for all the input. I replaced the clutch disc and pressure plate---problem solved. Although disc didn't look that bad and pressure plate looked good the fact that I had no clutch slipping before replacing transmission is what really threw me a curve on diagnosis.