99' C43 trans died at 96k miles?!?
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 184
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2000 MR-S daily driver, 1997 SL600 weekend fun, 1999 ML430 tow vehicle
99' C43 trans died at 96k miles?!?
hello everyone,
I was driving my 99' C43 yesterday and i heard a clunk noise when I left me house, and I heard it again about 15 minutes later when I got to work.
when I came back outside (5 hours later) everything seemed normal, but when I put it into reverse, nothing happened. same with drive, etc.
I take it this is a plain and simple transmission failure, but why at only 96k miles, I've owned it the whole time and I drive my 99' ML430 harder than this and its still going strong at 107K
is there any specific part on the trans that could have failed that I should be looking at, or should I just go get it re-built?
Thanks in advance,
-Erik
I was driving my 99' C43 yesterday and i heard a clunk noise when I left me house, and I heard it again about 15 minutes later when I got to work.
when I came back outside (5 hours later) everything seemed normal, but when I put it into reverse, nothing happened. same with drive, etc.
I take it this is a plain and simple transmission failure, but why at only 96k miles, I've owned it the whole time and I drive my 99' ML430 harder than this and its still going strong at 107K
is there any specific part on the trans that could have failed that I should be looking at, or should I just go get it re-built?
Thanks in advance,
-Erik
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From: Fallon, NV
BMW and Mercedes
Speaking of which, it's about time to do mine. What would one need to do if they were going to change out the trans fluid and filter themselves? I do fortunately have a lift at my disposal.....
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Fluid at
40k miles is the word,a little late for most owners with 722.6 trans,but not to late if problems have not shown up.
Filter autohausaz.com gasket,locking cap,mb 722.6 or 722.9 fluid mb spec only.
special dipstick pm me
diy instructions with the dipstick and more at benzworld.org w210 diy section and mercedesshop.com diy section.
to the op you can pick up a used guaranteed unit at aaw in seattle or several rebuilders.If you have someone that knows the rebuild process on the .6 trans rebuild kits are also sold.Did you check the driveshaft?
lifetime fluid was the biggest mistake mb ever made as a claim.
flynavy your 99 has the tq. converter drain so you can do the whole change to fresh fluid.
Filter autohausaz.com gasket,locking cap,mb 722.6 or 722.9 fluid mb spec only.
special dipstick pm me
diy instructions with the dipstick and more at benzworld.org w210 diy section and mercedesshop.com diy section.
to the op you can pick up a used guaranteed unit at aaw in seattle or several rebuilders.If you have someone that knows the rebuild process on the .6 trans rebuild kits are also sold.Did you check the driveshaft?
lifetime fluid was the biggest mistake mb ever made as a claim.
flynavy your 99 has the tq. converter drain so you can do the whole change to fresh fluid.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: newport beach
2008 m5
my service advisor told me to expect to need a new transmission somewhere around 100k or later. not that it happens to them all, but he said it certainly wasn't rare. he did suggest a transmission fluid change at 100k or so.
that said, are you sure it's not just the selector linkage? that happened on mine. knob moves (albeit i think maybe a little loosely), no state change in the transmission...
that said, are you sure it's not just the selector linkage? that happened on mine. knob moves (albeit i think maybe a little loosely), no state change in the transmission...
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Posts: 6,171
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Factory reccomendion
is now about every 40k miles,they will go way over 100 if changed to fresh fluid at that interval.Heat and graphite floating around in them kills them.Fresh fluid resolves both issues.
Yes besides the driveshaft , per above check the shifter bushing prnd are all controlled by the mechanical linkage and the manual shift option is electronic.
Yes besides the driveshaft , per above check the shifter bushing prnd are all controlled by the mechanical linkage and the manual shift option is electronic.
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Cambs, UK
2000 C43 Wagon
Transmission Drain
I'm curious Oh Lord....how do you work out whether you have a Torque Converter drain or not? Is it build date, transmission type...or from vehicle build/VIN 
For what it's worth, my wagon was first registered in the UK in Jan 2000 and I'd guess it was built mid to late '99
Thanks in advance,
Mike
For what it's worth, my wagon was first registered in the UK in Jan 2000 and I'd guess it was built mid to late '99
Thanks in advance,
Mike
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Joined: Jan 2007
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C43 AMG & E55 AMG
Mmmm! I change trans oil twice ( always some dirty old one that end up sticking inside ) & filter every 30k~ miles..and im only at 64k miles now!
don't mess with that..so cheap to maintenance..and expansive to fix !
don't mess with that..so cheap to maintenance..and expansive to fix !
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2000 MR-S daily driver, 1997 SL600 weekend fun, 1999 ML430 tow vehicle
Thanks everyone for the input,
Ill check the linkage, shaft, bushings, and Ill have the trans fluid and filter replaced.
Ill post back if it starts to work
out of curiosity, I assume I should be doing this to all of my MBs routinely ?
Ill check the linkage, shaft, bushings, and Ill have the trans fluid and filter replaced.
Ill post back if it starts to work
out of curiosity, I assume I should be doing this to all of my MBs routinely ?
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'98 C43 AMG. Obsidian Blk w/2 tone slvr/blk interior
the tranny on my last c43 crapped out at 78k. dont be surprised it happens to good people at bad times. sad to see the c43 on a flatbed isnt it? with my tranny 4th gear was slipping, it was a burnt pad for 4th gear, had to get a new tranny.
good luck. i paid 3600 for a rebuilt one r/r included. mechanic really hooked me up. should cost about double that at the dealer lol, im sure you wont have that hard of a time finding a good shop to do it for less than the dealer.
good luck. i paid 3600 for a rebuilt one r/r included. mechanic really hooked me up. should cost about double that at the dealer lol, im sure you wont have that hard of a time finding a good shop to do it for less than the dealer.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
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'98 C43 AMG. Obsidian Blk w/2 tone slvr/blk interior
where do you keep all of your cars?!? youve got one of the longest lists ive ever seen!
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Joined: Apr 2007
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Fluid
every 30-40 k would be a good idea on all your models.Only the 722.6 needs the special mb fluid made for that trans or the backwards compatible 722.9 7 speed fluid that can also be used in the 722.6 trans.
Dogwagen after sept 99 build date(located in the drivers door label)the drain plug was removed.You can follow my converter drain tip in the diy's on benzworld.org w210 diy section or look up yumlings post on how he went about modifying my diy listing if you find yours has no drain plug on the converter.
dealers charge over 6k just for the trans labor not included.
germantransmissions.com or something like that has rebuilds for about 1600
shop around
Dogwagen after sept 99 build date(located in the drivers door label)the drain plug was removed.You can follow my converter drain tip in the diy's on benzworld.org w210 diy section or look up yumlings post on how he went about modifying my diy listing if you find yours has no drain plug on the converter.
dealers charge over 6k just for the trans labor not included.
germantransmissions.com or something like that has rebuilds for about 1600
shop around
