95 s500 clicking sound in reverse, fix now or wait?
 

My S500 is making clicking noise when in reverse. I have read all some post about worn reverse clutch and the piston hitting the 3rd gear in the 722.3 tranny. I wonder if i let it continue and replace the tranny when i finally loose reverse or fix the issue now by replacing clutch?

I can't drop the tranny myself, so this have to be done by the shop.

Not to ignore your question but there's no such thing as a 1995 500E. In 1995 the letter was in front, i.e. E500, but there were no E500s either.

Sorry, i meant S500, not confused with my E.

The 722.370 trans is the 4 speed automatic, non electronic. My 92 500 SEL started clicking in reverse, I had MB fush it with no change, and no parts in the pansic months ago. I just noticed recently it takes 4/5 seconds to pick up reverse, and if you hit the gas before that it lurches a little. From all the forums it seems to indicate the reverse band or clutches. either way it is "pull it out". MB gets 9hrs for the job of removing and installing, They really dont rebuild them any more a reman with 2 year 24 warranty is $3500, a new converter $1700. My good friend at MB does not feel it needs a converter. There is a high volume shop that does the county squad cars and trucks will do the job for half or less with 90 day warranty if they rebuild it.
My MB cohorts opinion drive it, untill it quits and then put in a rebuilt, or do it when I feel like it.

That's what I am leaning towards to. I don't drive in reverse that much, so I didn't notice it too much. I am inclined to ride it until I lose reverse. Then I put in a rebuild tranny in it. Any serious objection out there?

How long can you wait?
 

I bought my 92 500SEL used with 180,000km (approx 108,000 miles) and it would click in reverse once in a while. The seller mentioned it to me, so I know it was doing it before (but don't know for how long). Car took about 2 seconds to go into reverse.

I changed the gasket/filter/fluid at about 200,000km (120,000 miles) and there was absolutely no change in the condition.

Now at almost 240,000km (144,000mi) and about 2 years since I bought the car, it has about a 3.0 to 3.5 sec delay going into reverse. The clicking happens about as often as it always did.

I know the slow reverse is an issue, but it's not that bad. My wife's 90 300SL took 5-6 seconds going into reverse before the transmission went bang.

So how long can those of us with this trans issue wait before having to rebuild/dispose of the car? I was thinking of upgrading to a newer car and selling this one, but thought I had about a year or two (say until 175-185,000 miles) before I had to rebuild it. Am I going to end up rebuilding this transmission sooner than I thought??

Will this type of clicking cause the transmission to lose its ability to go into reverse "suddenly" one day or will it take time? I wouldn't mind a bit of notice :)

You just told me at least 2 years and 20,000 miles for me :)

I have a 94 S500 with a rebuilt transmission and my car jerks backwards when I shift from Park to Reverse or Drive to Reverse. This is before I take my foot off the brake - so the car does not actually move in its footing - just sort of jumps backwards. It happens more than 50% of the time I put the car in Reverse. Anyone have a similar problem?

Note it does not happen when I put the car from Reverse to Drive or to Park.

I am in an identical situation on my 92 500SEL, it used to click, I had MB flush the trans, it is now doing the pause in reverse. There are trans shops who have told me they would rebuild it for far less than MB, I pulled the trigger today and will have MB install a factory rebuilt $3500 or so +10 hrs labor 2/24 warranty, the other shops will rebuild in house with 90 day. It works cold but waits when it is warm for reverse, evidently a common issue.

Peter let us know if it is worth the cost after you get it back from the dealer.