1990 300ce Transmission- DIY? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Bigpete123 · #1 10-05-2006, 02:52 PM

Hello.

I need to install a rebuilt tranny in my car (reverse no longer works). Adsitco (http://www.adsitco.com/category.asp?CID=1645) has a pretty good price on rebuilt transmissions. They sell them on an exchange basis, so you have to put down an additional $300 refundable deposit. You put the rebuilt tranny in and send them the broken one. Seems like a good deal.

I know nothing about how to replace a transmission. However, my father in law is a pretty solid DIY mechanic, but has never worked on a Mercedes before. Is this a project we should take on? There are pretty good savings in doing this myself (or ourselves). But it's intimidating to somebody who knows nothing.

Are any specialized tools needed?

Another question is that I have seen discussion about installing an RT-722.369 transmission to replace my RT-722.359. The advantage being that you get the use of a 1st gear start. It would be pretty cool to do an upgrade if this is simply a matter of bolting it up. Are any modifications required?

So in sum, my questions are:

1. Is the tranny replacement a DIY job for a decent DIYer and an assistant?
2. What's involved?
3. Can I swap an 722.359 in for the 722.369?

Thanks! I'm in dire need of help! The other option is to sell this money pit altogether!!

Peter

gmercoleza · #2 10-05-2006, 03:34 PM

Can't say much about the actual install, but you should seriously reconsider using Adsitco if you haven't already purchased from them. Many folks on this forum have had problems with them and say that their management tends to be less than agreeable when issues arise. From what I have read here, there are other better, more affordable sources for rebuilt transmissions.

Do a search just to be sure. Just my $.02.

whunter · #3 10-05-2006, 03:41 PM

Transmission:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=142395

Have a great day.

Bigpete123 · #4 10-05-2006, 03:55 PM

Thanks for the heads up, gmercoleza. That's very important for me to know!!!

And thanks for the links whunter. I looked through many of those threads already, but I'll make a second attempt.

In the meantime, does anybody else have input?

Thanks!

Peter

gmercoleza · #5 10-05-2006, 04:00 PM

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=131801&highlight=adsitco

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=122602&highlight=adsitco

Bigpete123 · #6 10-06-2006, 11:19 AM

can anybody else help me out here? I want to know whether it's feasible for a beginner and a good DIY mechanic to swap out the transmissions. Thanks!!

lee polowczuk · #7 10-06-2006, 03:53 PM

i have read thousands of posts here over the past few years...and there is very little indications of DIYers pulling transmissions... it seems like you need one fairly expensive tool as well.

seems like it would be worth paying a shop... 300 dollars or so..

i have heard that they are not too heavy, which suprised me.

i know i am not adding much. i think the key is to get a good re-build.

Bigpete123 · #8 10-06-2006, 04:46 PM

well, I don't know anything about the tools needed. But as I said earlier, I would buy a rebuilt tranny.

All I want to do is pull the old one out and put the new one in. I have heard people say that it's not that tough of a job. But I want to get a more professional opinion. I.e. does a rebuilt one just bolt right up? Are there tons of steps involved? Is it super-technical? Are these trannies highly specialized to mercedes, or are they like most other trannies in terms of how you remove and uninstall them?

This is what I'm trying to figure out. I have priced out all of the labor with a few shops, and they tell me that they'd charge around $2,500 for a full rebuild. If I bought one online, I'd end up paying around $1,700, so that would save me $800. The mechanics said they would charge around $800 in labor to uninstall the old one and install the new one, so if I don't do it myself, I might as well just have a shop rebuilt mine to make things easier... since it costs the same.

But that $800 would be nice in my pocket. Please, I know there are people on this board who have the answers! :-) It's just a matter of being persistent enough! Thanks for your help everyone.

gmercoleza · #9 10-06-2006, 04:54 PM

Amazing what 5 seconds and a little effort searching can find:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=103698&highlight=300e+remove+transmission

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=130090&highlight=300e+remove+transmission

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=163579&highlight=300e+remove+transmission

Bigpete123 · #10 10-06-2006, 05:24 PM

I apologize. I spent a lot of time searching, so I'm embarassed that I didn't find those threads... Thank you for the links.

It's difficult to read and understand some of those steps unless I'm in the throws of performing the task. If I end up doing this, I will print as many of these threads out as possible to piece things together.

I guess aside from the technical stuff, I'm just trying to get some opinions on whether or not this is a job that my father and law and I can do ourselves. I guess more specifically, is it a good idea for us to attempt it? I'm sure we'd eventually figure it out, but mistakes can be costly. Thanks.

:fork_off:

gmercoleza · #11 10-06-2006, 05:36 PM

I just reread my post - I hope it doesn't come off as sounding sarcastic. Due to your low post count I thought you were a new member, but later on noticed that you've been around since May of '05. It has been exasperating seeing new members show up with a first post of "how do I rebuild my A/C system?" without having even searched.

Have you ever done a tranny R&R before? Having done them myself, and having seen the underneath of a W124, I can't see why it would be too much trouble. I have done a partial rebuild involving the valve body on my 300E, but it did not involve full removal so I can't share any personal experience. But I can't imagine it being too difficult. I would think you disconnect all linkages, lines, driveshaft, etc., then line up the jack and disconnect from the bellhousing.

gmercoleza · #12 10-06-2006, 05:40 PM

One other comment: you're doing the right thing by researching. Much better to gather info now than when you are lying on your back under the car. On jobs like these I typically obsess about it and read everything I can get my hands on, even imagine doing the job in my head, using any and all diagrams, pictures, and info I can get. I do this for weeks or months, even lie awake in bed at night thinking about it. Then when I'm ready, I do the job in 1/2 the normal time, probably because I've acted it out in my head hundreds of times.

You might want to check diagrams at Performance Products. Also, if you don't already have one, get hold of a WIS CD. Some members here sell bootleg copies.

Bigpete123 · #13 10-06-2006, 05:51 PM

No problem, man. With this site, I am not knowledgeable enough mechanically to contribute very much. I usually use this site as a resource (i.e. a lot of time searching when I'm having trouble). So I'm a lingerer.

I spent a long time reading through posts, and never found what I was looking for. But in retrospect, I probably could've done better. I know how annoying it is when people raise questions that have been answered repeatedly, so I don't blame you.

Anyway, thanks for the input. I'm a firm believer that the best way to learn is by doing. So I'm sure I'll learn a few things doing this work with my father in law. He's the type of guy that will say he could do the work easily, but my perception is that he's overly confident sometimes... so I just want to make sure I get objective opinions first!

whunter · #14 10-07-2006, 01:01 AM

Yes this is a DIY.
Many members have done it.

If you have ever removed an automatic transmission, the only shock will be FLEX Disc's, and the starter bolts that access from the rear.

Bigpete123 · #15 10-07-2006, 05:05 PM

excellent. Thanks much.