2011 Mercedes Benz C300 4matic 54,000 miles.

During acceleration and while under load, the car shakes quite badly. I took it to the Mercedes dealership and I was told it will need a new torque converter and lock up solenoid, which will cost me about $4000. With this having so little miles, whats the likely hood that I will not have to replace the torque converter? Will replacing the lock up solenoid fix the issue?

I just purchased this vehicle about 3 months ago and I am not trying to spend 4grand.

Thanks,
Mike

 

Guys, anything helps. Above is a picture of the diagnosis from the technician. From what I understand about torque converters, I thought the lock up clutch is supposed to engage under high speeds. The shaking occurs during all speeds all gears. So i am a little sceptical of the diagnosis.

 

That is hefty indeed....
There has been various transmission issues on 7g-tronic with 4matic. Cannot really help you...
Having said that, do you know when was the last time transmission fluid was flushed? Transmission fluid should be flushed every 35,000 miles.

 

 

I would take it to an Indy who works on Mercedes for a diagnosis and estimate.

 

W204 owners don't like talking about transmission issues, unless you have some idiot come in and tell you about when it should/should've been serviced, cause that really helps after the fact :/

The bearings in my torque converter need to be replaced also, my symptoms are noise though so far. I've gone to a fairly reputable indie shop in Toronto Canada and they said the bearings need to be replaced which would cost me $3100 CAD all in to get it done, I haven't done anything yet though.

 

Swing by Oakridge Auto in Oakville before you do anything.

 

Very possible. Check for fluid contamination, but that's not the only cause of TCC issues. I've seen them fail in fairly low mileage cars for no apparent reason. I did a valve body on one and it didn't fix it, ended up doing the converter anyway.

Yes the part is expensive, but the labor shouldn't be too bad. Look for a rebuilt converter, i'm sure they are out there by now. This repair should be under $2k at an independent shop.

 

Rock Auto has rebuilt TC for 722.9 for $140.

 

hi
also you can go to rexbo .eu to buy it cost with replacement not less than 300 eu from sach made in Germany

 

I just dealt with those same symptoms of that problem your experiencing while parallel parking and probably backing out of your driveway. The technician at the local Mercedes dealership diagnose that one as a planetary gear replacement and that did solve that issue. Apparently the planetary gear will accumulate wear and tear and not mesh as perfect as they should over time. At the dealership that job will cost $1, 500.00

 

I bot this car last week, drove it around first but not get into a situation where this problem revealed itself, so now I am screwed.
Driving down the highway, steady speed, I gently press accelerator to pass and the car start rumbling. Does so every time.
I cycled through the gears, and it only happens in 6th gear.
I described to a mercedes mechanic and he said the TC needs to be replaced.
Does Bosch make this product or any other quality manufacturers, dont want to pay up for OEM part.

 

Yeah the torque converter lockup clutch from the sound of it. Any good replacement converter will work just fine.

 

Many thanks Joe, any TC brands you recommend besides Mercedes that are quality? OEM are pricey!

 

Thanks Joe, any TC brands you recommend besides pricey OEM?

 

Normally I would say I would grab one off rockauto but they don't have any listed, which is odd. I'd have to check what is available, but really any good rebuild will be just fine, they are pretty common pieces, there are tens of thousands of cars on the road with that transmission in it, I wouldn't pay more than $300 or so for one, def not the crazy oem price.

 

Thanks Joe, any thoughts on labor costs or any other materials required for this project?

 

Transmission has to come out, so probably fluids for a trans service and some of the bolts are 1 time use, like the driveshaft and converter bolts I believe, but the labor should only be a couple hours, it's not a difficult trans to pull and the replacement is straightforward. I'd probably replace the rear main seal while you are in there, as by this age it has a chance of getting weak and it's very little additional labor once you are that far in, as opposed to removing the transmission again to replace it later.

I'd have to look up warranty times but I believe labor should be 6-7 hours max to replace the converter, and I would have no issue with any independent shop that could do it, it's not a special car to work on in that regard. I'm fairly certain there is a reset of the TCC learning that should be done via Xentry/SDS when you replace the converter, but beyond that anyone can do the install for you.

 

Joe, thank you for your expertise and your valuable time!