1996 C36 722.3 Transmission Troubles

[holdontight]

This is my first experience with the Benz brand and it has been bitter sweet. Since 1995, I have always wanted a C36. I finally got one and love driving it when it is running right. The refinement of the car is outstanding and even working on it gives a sense of satisfaction unlike other cars. Nothing major (until now) has gone wrong, just at 90,000 miles I did not plan on putting a bunch of time into it.

The problem now is the tranny. Under light load, it started slipping in the upper gears at highway speed. I would come to a stop, put it in neutral, let it sit for a minute, then start it back up and it would go fine-for a few minutes. It would down shift after 4th started slipping, then 3rd would run for a while then it would start slipping. Before long all I could do was let it come to a stop, let it sit and then heavily accelerate in 1st and 2nd to gain some momentum and then coast again to a stop (finally made it home.)

I know it can be hard to diagnose trouble with out driving the car, but I would graciously take any educated guess as to what could be wrong other than a standard rebuild. Which leads me to my next question, how are are these trannys to rebuild? I am a fairly accomplished 7 year dealer mechanic (Ford Motor Company) but I have not done too many automatic trannys (many dealerships are having these done off site to be remaned). My other gripe is that the repair documentation on these cars is scarce. I have a manual from ASTG that should give me enough info I believe.

SOOOOO, please any suggestions or guidance will be VERY much appreciated from the most knowledgeable MBZ board on the internet!!