What should one look out for when buying a manual transmission from a salvage yard? Most salvage yards are honest and will tell you if it is in working condition or not. Any visible checks to see if its good or not? Also, since the transmission has been sitting for awhile, is there anything you have to do to "prep" it. Of course, new trans. fluid and filter is a must. Anything else? Would you recommend buying a new clutch kit?

Thanks.

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1985 Mercedes 190E 2.3(Sold)

Call Jaggi transmission in Houston, Tx talk to Jurgon 800-874-7753

Generally speaking, you are at the mercy of their word, unless of course there is obvious damage upon visual inspection. Don't buy unless there is a guarantee. Usually there is a 60 or 90 day policy, but read the limitations, conditions that apply.

While you have the tranny out, I would replace the clutch and pressure plate, and through-out bearing. I would also consider replacing the rear main seal on the engine, and front shaft seal and tail shaft bearing in the tranny. Also look at the rear tranny mount, you may want to replace that as well. I'm not aware that there is a filter for standard transmissions, automatics, yes, but you may drain all the old gear oil out and maybe consider installing Moble One synthetic gear oil too.

One method of inspecting a manual transmission when it’s removed from the car, with out disassembling, is to remove the side cover (shifter cover). Now you can inspect most of the gears and synchronizing rings.

The only problem is you need some experience in determining what is good and what is bad.

You can shift the Trans thru the gears by hand, place the transmission in neutral, all the shift levers should be in a vertical position. Neutral is when you can rotate the input shaft while not turning / holding the output shaft stationary with pliers. Turn the input shaft by hand at the same time shifting the Trans by moving a lever forward, that’s one gear, move the same lever in the opposite direction, which is another gear, place that lever in neutral/ vertical position. Do the same for the other shift levers.

What you are looking for is any grinding or clicking noise. Any roughness when in gear and if the input shaft is it very hard to turn; this is when experience comes in. Also check the Trans oil for any metal, if its looks like a slivery color that’s metal.