The transmission in my '02 C32 is toast from glycol contamination. I have access to a lift and a jack and normal tools but I am hesitant to attempt to swap the transmission myself. Has anybody actually done it and could give advice on whether it is comparable to other cars or more difficult due to clearances/special tools/etc? I've changed the transmissions in my '70 Nova, '86 Monte Carlo SS and '88 Vette but this little C-class gives me pause.

Thanx!

 

Wow yeah it would give me pause, too. Well.. opening the hood gives ME pause, but I digress.

I've never read anyone replace this DIY on this forum but I am sure it could be done with enough resources.

 

If you do succeed, please take pictures of the process and post up a DIY here. Im sure it will be found very useful!

 

Don't let this job scare you. As far as benz transmissions go this is one of the easiest to remove. You can get the top four trans bolts from the top, might require removing the airbox assembly, then unbolt your dipstick from the valve cover and everything else is from the bottom and very simple. only part that hangs up at all is the flex disc for the driveshaft but its really not a problem if you push it up over the output shaft flange. I can give you more help and instructions if needed.

 

Don't hessistate to rip your car apart because you only learn more about it. See if Karo can pull some files to remove the tranny, because im sure it just drops down pretty easily.

 

Replacing the tranny physically is easy. You would the need a couple of minutes on the Star DAS to adapt it & you are ready to go. Someone did this last year on his wifes car but I can't find the thread.

 

If I tackle it I will certainly document the process; hopefully making ownership of these things slightly less daunting and expensive.

I can certainly remove the airbox assembly, I just didn't want to have to remove the supercharger or intake manifold. I am VERY glad to hear it is a straightforward swap, but I would certainly welcome any further instructions or help or tips you care to give. Flex disc for the driveshaft - Chevy's don't have such a thing; can you enlighten me?

I would be doing the swap at the shop on my Air Force base, twenty miles from my dealer and his STAR machine. Would I be able to drive the car to the dealer after the swap to have the computer adaptations performed or would I have to tow it there to avoid damage to the new transmission?

Thanks so much for the help guys. I'd also like to hear any recommendations on where to source a new or rebuilt tranny and new or rebuilt torque converter. I have found a couple places online but am always looking for a better price or a better product.

 

A shop on the air force base.. wow what else do you guys get.. Ive been thinking about joining for so long

 

The shop is nice and only costs a couple bucks per hour to use one of the lifts and all their tools. On the other hand, I am sitting in Qatar right now halfway through a six-month deployment away from my wife and kids and real life. You take the good with the bad. PM me if you want my perspective (E7 with 19 years); it can be a great opportunity or one you regret.

 

You should be able to drive it there. Won't do damage but will in all probability be in limp mode.

A flex disc just takes the place of a UJ & behaves more like a CV joint but through very slight angles.

 

Call AAA and have it towed, AAA Plus you can go 100 miles.
If it's not working properly and needs to be towed to a shop,
they'll be right there.

EDIT: Oh wait, you're in Qatar.
Never mind.

 

Thanx Glyn. Makes it a lot easier if I can just drive it up when I am done. I've never been in limp mode; can you drive at highway speeds? I have to be on the interstate for a short distance to get to the dealer and I don't wanna get run over.

I am not a member of AAA, but thanx for the suggestion. I am in Qatar but my car is sitting in Washington. I will be performing the swap upon my return so I have a couple months to research the procedure and order the parts. Fortunately I get a couple weeks off upon my return so I can get the job done; unfortunately I was planning on relaxing and getting reacquainted with my wife and now I will be stuck wrenching on the car for a couple days.

 

You will likely be confined to 2nd gear at worst.

 

2nd gear? Yikes. I will definitely tow it then. Thanx Glyn!