It is such an expensive transmission to repair/replace if you neglect it.
60k+ miles on tran no service
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 CLK500
60k+ miles on tran no service
So I was reading through some of the threads about transmissions I havent had mine serviced. Its at 63k I dont have any issues with it, but would it be wise to service it? I have the money to pay for it. I was just wondering based on you guys' experiences if I should service it or spend it on mods and what not.
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From: A Canadian in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
'05 C200K SS, '05 Kleemann CLK500K, '08 Hummer H3 & '92 Z34 5sp (track car in Canada)
I have always serviced the trans in all cars I've owned on a regular basis despite the manufacturers extended period recommendations, preventative maintenance is key IMO. I get my C trans serviced once a year here, it's an extremely hot environment and because I track the CLK I get it done more often, I enjoy the piece of mind. I also get the H3 trans serviced yearly.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Service that transmission every 39K miles or 60K Km's. It will reward you with long & troublefree life. Make sure that they drain the torque converter.
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 CLK500
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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Keep in mind that many rap stars make a very good living scratching those records, playing the same phrases over and over again! 
After seeing my freshly changed fluid already turned dark and gooey magnets after just a few hundred miles (had to drop the pan to fix a leaking, improperly seated gasket), I'm singing right along with you.
After seeing my freshly changed fluid already turned dark and gooey magnets after just a few hundred miles (had to drop the pan to fix a leaking, improperly seated gasket), I'm singing right along with you.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 65
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 CLK500
Keep in mind that many rap stars make a very good living scratching those records, playing the same phrases over and over again! After seeing my freshly changed fluid already turned dark and gooey magnets after just a few hundred miles (had to drop the pan to fix a leaking, improperly seated gasket), I'm singing right along with you.
After seeing my freshly changed fluid already turned dark and gooey magnets after just a few hundred miles (had to drop the pan to fix a leaking, improperly seated gasket), I'm singing right along with you.Well a quick question then. I am taking it to the dealership this time. I am mechanically inclined I have worked on every car I have had thus far. Stuff like head gaskest, connectiong rod bearings, trans solenoids, and these were on v6 and I4 DOHCs. How easy would it be to drain the fluid myself? I have a place I can rent auto lift for 5 bucks a day and they supply tools.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
All you need to know is in Johnand's excellent DIY service thread. There is also a full procedure in the Wiki including tools required.
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...ce-thread.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...ce-thread.html
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 CLK500
All you need to know is in Johnand's excellent DIY service thread. There is also a full procedure in the Wiki including tools required.
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...ce-thread.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...ce-thread.html
THANK YOU SO MUCH. Easier than I thought. I am going to look over it tonight and make sure I am comfortable with it. If I end up doing it I will make a vid or some pictures.
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2008 CLK550 Cab
I did mine earlier this year, and it's worth scoping yours out in advance because some things maybe different. The nut on my pulley was 27mm, not the 32mm or whatever is in the thread, and the drain plug on my torque converter was a different size by 1mm. Also make sure you have a good torque wrench that measures in inch pounds, not foot pounds.
Thread Starter
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 CLK500
I did mine earlier this year, and it's worth scoping yours out in advance because some things maybe different. The nut on my pulley was 27mm, not the 32mm or whatever is in the thread, and the drain plug on my torque converter was a different size by 1mm. Also make sure you have a good torque wrench that measures in inch pounds, not foot pounds.
Thank you sir its going on my list of questions for the auto shop guy
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 CLK500
All you need to know is in Johnand's excellent DIY service thread. There is also a full procedure in the Wiki including tools required.
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...ce-thread.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...ce-thread.html
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MY2006 CLK500s have the 722.9 7-speed. I also did my own fluid/filter change using WIS documentation and Johnand's thread. Here are my details:
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...id-change.html
The process is really not difficult - you drain the pan, drain the torque converter, replace the filter, pan gasket, and some one-time use bolts. Then refill by pumping fluid in through the drain plug in the pan and check the level via the proper overflow drip rate. The only tricky part I had was getting the temperature just right. It seemed that the transmission really didn't want to stay at the prescribed temp. Other than that, if you don't have a lift, then doing this on jack stands can also be a challenge.
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...id-change.html
The process is really not difficult - you drain the pan, drain the torque converter, replace the filter, pan gasket, and some one-time use bolts. Then refill by pumping fluid in through the drain plug in the pan and check the level via the proper overflow drip rate. The only tricky part I had was getting the temperature just right. It seemed that the transmission really didn't want to stay at the prescribed temp. Other than that, if you don't have a lift, then doing this on jack stands can also be a challenge.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 65
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 CLK500
MY2006 CLK500s have the 722.9 7-speed. I also did my own fluid/filter change using WIS documentation and Johnand's thread. Here are my details:
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...id-change.html
The process is really not difficult - you drain the pan, drain the torque converter, replace the filter, pan gasket, and some one-time use bolts. Then refill by pumping fluid in through the drain plug in the pan and check the level via the proper overflow drip rate. The only tricky part I had was getting the temperature just right. It seemed that the transmission really didn't want to stay at the prescribed temp. Other than that, if you don't have a lift, then doing this on jack stands can also be a challenge.
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...id-change.html
The process is really not difficult - you drain the pan, drain the torque converter, replace the filter, pan gasket, and some one-time use bolts. Then refill by pumping fluid in through the drain plug in the pan and check the level via the proper overflow drip rate. The only tricky part I had was getting the temperature just right. It seemed that the transmission really didn't want to stay at the prescribed temp. Other than that, if you don't have a lift, then doing this on jack stands can also be a challenge.
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Wow, $5/day to rent a lift? That's a bargain. Around here, they rent them for hundred$$ a day, or, there are a few DIY garages that rent a bay, but also hundred$$/day. I did mine on jack stands and it wasn't bad at all. Using the center jack points makes it easy. You can see from my post that I bought an Assenmacher pump. Others have purchased just the screw-in filler tube (Assenmacher sells it for about $40) and then a cheap fluid transfer pump(like this one:http://www.harborfreight.com/multi-u...ump-66418.html)
For fluid, check your local Shell supplier (not the local retail gas station, but the actual supplier) to see if they can get ATF-134 for you. I have heard that they can get it by the case for about $6/qt.
For fluid, check your local Shell supplier (not the local retail gas station, but the actual supplier) to see if they can get ATF-134 for you. I have heard that they can get it by the case for about $6/qt.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 65
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From: Tampa, FL
2006 CLK500
Wow, $5/day to rent a lift? That's a bargain. Around here, they rent them for hundred$$ a day, or, there are a few DIY garages that rent a bay, but also hundred$$/day. I did mine on jack stands and it wasn't bad at all. Using the center jack points makes it easy. You can see from my post that I bought an Assenmacher pump. Others have purchased just the screw-in filler tube (Assenmacher sells it for about $40) and then a cheap fluid transfer pump(like this one:http://www.harborfreight.com/multi-u...ump-66418.html)
For fluid, check your local Shell supplier (not the local retail gas station, but the actual supplier) to see if they can get ATF-134 for you. I have heard that they can get it by the case for about $6/qt.
For fluid, check your local Shell supplier (not the local retail gas station, but the actual supplier) to see if they can get ATF-134 for you. I have heard that they can get it by the case for about $6/qt.
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2008 CLK550 Cab
I used a fluid pump from the auto parts store that just screws on to each quart of fluid separately. It was only like $9.95. Wouldn't want do 50 cars that way, but for a one time job, I'd buy it again.
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When in manual it will shift up to six before going back to D. That probably means its the seven speed
BTW, did you know the ".6" and ".9" refers to the number of total gears. The 722.6 had 6 gears - 5 forward + 1 reverse. The 722.9 actually has 9 gears - 7 forward + 2 reverse. And before you go hauling butt in reverse to find the shift point, you won't. The 2nd reverse gear is actually a higher gear engaged in "C" mode to enable smoother backups in slick conditions (just like "C" mode start in 2nd gear when in "forward").
