Mercedes Tranny Question

[J.A.F.E.]

A friend of mine with an 86 turbo diesel has very bad slipping in first gear. Reverse and 2/3 are fine but starting from a dead stop is like watching paint dry. Once it's rolling it's ok until it down shifts into 1st. Fluid level is good and has nice color with no burnt smell. I would swap it out for her but won't have time till after Christmas. THe mechanic (he specilizes in the marque) says it's the clutches and wants 1 large to fix. Seems too cheap for a rebuild and too expensive for anything else.

Any thoughts? Bands perhaps? Car has 330k.

Appreciate any thoughts.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Do you know if it still has the original transmission with such high mileage? I'm sure a rebuilt transmission would cost several times the amount of the original quote.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Do you know if it still has the original transmission with such high mileage.

I don't know. She has the car for four years but before that I know nothing. Around here (southern California) these cars - with the turbo diesel - are common and are often driven 5-600k.

I'm sure a rebuilt transmission would cost several times the amount of the original quote.

And that's what concerns me. I'm afraid he's just going to adjust the bands or something similar, charge her a grand and then 6 months (or less) from now we're back to square one. I just can't picture anyone opening up a box like that for that kind of money. She needs the car and I can't do anything for another two weeks or so. The car runs good and has no rust so a tranny would be a viable option.

That's why I'm turning to you guys. Thanks for any help

 

[Heavymentill]

If Transmission Slips When Starting Off In 1st Or 2nd (Reverse Works Normally)-

Band B-2 shift valve sticking. Band B-2 piston worn or damaged. Band B-2 adjusted incorrectly or worn or damaged. Adjust brake Band B-2 by installing a longer thrust pin (if necessary). If transmission operates properly with selector lever in "2", but not in "3" or "D" position, the one-way clutch may be slipping.

If its only Poor Acceleration When Starting Off

Check stall speed. If stall speed is 400-700 RPM less than specified value, one-way clutch in torque converter is slipping. Replace torque converter (if necessary).

 

[J.A.F.E.]

I will suggest she got to a (different) trans shop. I will make sure to include your info which makes more sense to me than what the other guy said.

Appreciate the info.

 

[trollkepr]

Forget the word "Bands" with regards to automatic transmissions any more. Adjusting bands went out in the 60's with GM's and in the 70's with Chrysler's. Some cars do still have bands but they are not adjustable.

Without any broken parts in the transmission and only a basic rebuild which includes replacing all the clutches and seals and sealing rings and flushing the torque converter can be done with a good profit for $1000. Like an $900 profit.

As far as the clutch in the torque converter being the problem, that would not be the case. The clutch only locks up at cruise. If you drive your car and accelerate at a mild amount of acceleration you can feel the converter lock up just after it shifts into the final gear. It feels like a mini shift and the engine will drop RPM's a tiny bit. If a converter is bad it will not lock up or it may chatter. It is very rare for a converter to go bad.

The largest problem with converters is if you do not rebuild them they will hold bits or tranny wear that you can not get out by flushing or the thrust washers in the converter wear out. Depending on the transmission you can often see when there is excessive wear on the converters bearings and there will be excessive end play or roughness as you take pliers and turn the 'turbin' and pull in and out on it checking for end play.


Ask the shop what they will do for that money. If they say it is for a soft parts rebuild with extra costs for any broken hard part damage you are talking to a decent place. In California it is illegal to do anything less. "Patching one up" without completely replacing all the clutches and seals is a huge reason to push your car out of the bay and down the street to a better center.

My 2 cents.

I managed tranny shops in my youth.

Russ

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

I love the turbo diesels of the mercedes benz.

I might be getting this used 1987 300SDL its in mint mint condtion and it has only 66K orginal miles on it.

It has limo tint all over the windows and it is white color with palamino leather and 6 disc cd changer and it has 18s on it and it has in intake in it and sunroof and alarm and some other stuff done to it.

The owner is asking 9,000 for it so i am going to check it out and see it.

 

[Heavymentill]

Forget the word "Bands" with regards to automatic transmissions any more. Adjusting bands went out in the 60's with GM's and in the 70's with Chrysler's. Some cars do still have bands but they are not adjustable.

Without any broken parts in the transmission and only a basic rebuild which includes replacing all the clutches and seals and sealing rings and flushing the torque converter can be done with a good profit for $1000. Like an $900 profit.

As far as the clutch in the torque converter being the problem, that would not be the case. The clutch only locks up at cruise. If you drive your car and accelerate at a mild amount of acceleration you can feel the converter lock up just after it shifts into the final gear. It feels like a mini shift and the engine will drop RPM's a tiny bit. If a converter is bad it will not lock up or it may chatter. It is very rare for a converter to go bad.

The largest problem with converters is if you do not rebuild them they will hold bits or tranny wear that you can not get out by flushing or the thrust washers in the converter wear out. Depending on the transmission you can often see when there is excessive wear on the converters bearings and there will be excessive end play or roughness as you take pliers and turn the 'turbin' and pull in and out on it checking for end play.


Ask the shop what they will do for that money. If they say it is for a soft parts rebuild with extra costs for any broken hard part damage you are talking to a decent place. In California it is illegal to do anything less. "Patching one up" without completely replacing all the clutches and seals is a huge reason to push your car out of the bay and down the street to a better center.

My 2 cents.

I managed tranny shops in my youth.

Russ

Guess I'll throw out that trans manual. Last time I checked bands didn't go out in the 60's and 70's. Band adjustment is possible, and is done in diffrent ways for diffrent applications.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I have links on adjusting the bands in # 4 & # 5 in my list of useful threads.