Hoffy83

Hi Guys,

First time poster, long time reader

I’ve had my C43 for a couple of years and has been great to me, however the inevitable has happened.... Bearings failed in the Transmission and it has fallen to pieces. Ive seen the bits, the bearings have gone through the box and chipped a fair few of the gears.

My local mechanic and transmission place are having hella trouble getting good info on what to do since this is a rare car here in Australia.

We cant source a 722.631 Box in Aus, they cant get parts for the box and cant work out if a simular 722.6xx box will work.

A service manual I downloaded states that you CANT swap gearboxes due to differing diff ratios and gearbox ratios etc and will give error codes, but i read here that somebody has put an E55 gearbox in his C43?? (was it a 722.634or something?)

Really need help here as they have resorted to getting in contact with Mercedes and can get a re-built gearbox from Germany but that will set me back approx $12,000 AUD installed.... Which is something I don’t want to do of course.

Can anybody offer some good advice on where to get a suitable box/parts? I like the idea of getting the more common box (say E55) and chucking it in mine but the auto transmission place seems to think it may not work.

Thanks

DRBC43AMG

Hi Hoffy83 and welcome on board,

Sorry to hear about your transmission. You did not mention which MY was your C43, so if it was a 98' it seems that was the "bad" year for gearboxes and in 99' and after the flaws had been solved. Was it serviced regularly, i.e. ATF flush and filter change?

As you are new on here, just wanted to point the way to a great source of information which has been compiled by a member of this forum under the name MarcusF. He has a site which has tons of info: http://www.marcusfitzhugh.com/CLK/DIY/

Concerning the box, the E55 is a 722.636 and I think should slot in with no problems at all. It is stronger too. If you find a 55 engine, then swap the whole lot and enjoy the extra power It is a simple swap to to with some minor adjustments, but those are documented on this panel.

Have you envisaged sourcing a transmission from the US? That could be a cheaper solution than getting on from Germany

In all cases, keep us posted on your progress. You will find plenty of friendly people and some MB techs lurking around also

There is a member from your part of the woods in Sydney who pops in here too: ausmbtech

Hoffy83

Thanks very much for the reply.
Yes it is a 1998 and had the classic Bearing failure. I have not had the transmission serviced since I bought it however.

I may end up sourcing a box from the USA but my mechanics are not keen on doing this sort of thing as they wont know the condition etc. He was not even keen on doing a 5.5 swap that i suggested unfortunatley. Too scared of the idea and is over complicating the idea i think. I understand after reading here that it is not such a complicated job.
This car is available on ebay in Australia and maybe suitable for a swap http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/WRECKING-...item23242d11ee

Im located in a small city between melbourne and sydney so I dont have much choice when it comes to mechanics, its already at the best independant merc and transmission place in town.

If they can get a guarantee that putting a simlar box in (from a M113 engine, say E55/SLK55 etc) wont be an issue that would be the best solution I think.

Ausmbtech

Dont bother rebuilding it, Go get a gearbox from a W210 E55 or a W208 CLK55 and just install it with a rebuilt torque converter and a new electrical plate. The W211 gearbox will fit but it's not the best solution.

Give ASV a call (13 27 50), not the cheapest but most likely to have one in stock. PM me if you need to know anything else as I'm in Sydney.

Tony_AMG

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...010523774.html Used engine and Tranny. let me know I know the guy, he's a W202 enthusiast and sell W201-202-203-210-140 Mercedes parts. Don't know about the shipping but its better so far.

SuzanOrtega

There are various other sites apart form craigs and ebay where you can get a good used transmission for a lesser amount. Some sites like carstrovit, automotix, autocatch etc also provide a warranty with a used part. Try looking up their sites and you will find a suitable gearbox for your car.

MarcusF

You may want to contact Sun Valley. The only transmissions they rebuild are MB, they have been rebuilding them for decades, and they are very highly recommended. Sun Valley has a rebuilt 1998 C43 transmission with rebuilt torque converter listed on their website for $2500 plus shipping. And yes, they ship worldwide. Their email addy is sunvalleymercedes@gmail.com

DRBC43AMG

MarcusF to the rescue. Good info!

Hoffy83

Great thanks for the info everybody. I've asked them to source a E55/CLK55 transmission and chuck that in. If they cant find one in Aus, I will probably get one of those re-built transmissions from Sun Valley and get it shipped here.

Again thanks for all the help

DRBC43AMG

Good man Try getting the complete power train and do the swap at the same time Keep us posted...

KJI3jflarryfe93

does E55 transmission match C43 rear diff?
gear ratios are different on C43 vs E55.
or is it just plug n play and it doesn't matter with different gear ratios between both cars rear axles?

MarcusF

The E55K and C43 transmissions have the same ratios.

KJI3jflarryfe93

you mean w210 E55 trans not the w211 E55K?

trans from w210 would work unproblematic on c43?
paired with the engine from same donor car would be perfect match in heaven?

MarcusF

The C43, W210 E55, and W211 E55K transmissions all have the same ratios. Those same ratios are also used in the W203 C32, W203 C55, W208 CLK55, W208 CLK430, and W209 CLK55. In some cases the electronics may differ, but the "gear ratios" are the same.

KJI3jflarryfe93

if and when my trans blows up I should go hunting for a w210/w211 transmission which is more solid?

is it just going to be plug n play?
no messing with electronics between different cars?

MarcusF

If I were you, and I needed a trans, I would call Sun Valley and have them ship one. Their rebuild will bolt in like it came from the factory AND it will have all the upgrades that were developed in the years that followed.

cm60k

Always follows this nice & helpful guy advice.....

ZAYED,,

cm60k

For all n/a V8s,, I prefer to go with "722.636", this is the best updated tranny # you can go with.....

ZAYED,,

RPB

Agreed.

KJI3jflarryfe93

can you give me a link of their webshop?
thanks

MarcusF

http://mercedesdismantlers.com//index.html

DRBC43AMG

Everything you want to know about the 722.6 transmissions thanks to our neighbours on the other side
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210...ssion-faq.html

In all cases you need a transmission with the reference W5A580 which are the ones taking higher torque than the lesser W5A330 versions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercede...c_transmission

Hoffy83

Could not find a suitable tranny in Aus so I've ordered a re-built 722.631 from Sun Valley. Not sure if its coming via ship or plane, will just have to wait and see when the freight conformation comes through.
I will let you guys know when its installed and running

Cheers all, and thanks again!

KJI3jflarryfe93

how much did this tranny cost you?
how much was shipping to Australia, i bet it was costly?
do they provide 1 year warranty?

did Sun Valley update the trans with stronger parts which are prone to go bad, stronger springs etc etc?

Hoffy83

Transmission was $2500, shipping $545. USD. One Aussie dollar is sitting around $0.90, so its works out pretty reasonable!
2 year warranty, I asked about the bearings that failed in mine only.... They replace them with the newer type bearings (factory ones) so should be good, no more weak point.
Feeling more up-beat now about getting my car back on the road.