jlpskydive

So I bought an 08 CLK 550 with 98K on the clock, It is everything I hoped it would be aside from one thing. In sport mode with the car in control it shifts really hard from first to second. Hard enough that it feels like it will hurt the car. I can put it in sport mode and use the paddles and it shifts great. Put it in C mode no problems there. It's only 1st to 2nd and it's only when the car is shifting. Just as an FYI on what I've done since I bought it. All air filters have been changed inside and out, Oil and filter, plugs, engine mounts and trans full flush and service. The car is not throwing any codes, but I do get very small vibration at idle sometimes (probably nothing) So any thoughts on what it could be? For now my solution is just to use the paddles in sport mode which I enjoy so not a big deal or major hardship. When I had the the motor mounts and trans done, they checked for a problem with the connector plate and didn't find any problems.


Oh and I have done the relearn (or at least tried to) didn't seem to make any difference.

Rudeney

"C mode start in 2nd gear, so that's why you don;t feel it then. You are likely holding 1st gear longer when manually shifting. My guess is low fluid - a hard 1-2 shift is a classic symptom.

jlpskydive

I'm hoping you're right. Can you direct me to a place where I can buy a dipstick for the car for the trans and the correct one? If you are right that means the place that I just paid 1K, to service the trans and replace the motor mounts won't be getting my business again. Also where I do get a dipstick to check it, what is the procedure? Car on, warm, in park? Cold, off?

Never mind found the tool and the tutorial. Thanks again!!

jlpskydive

OK welp.... I found out that tutorial was the wrong one and the only way to check it, is from the bottom. WHY O WHY do Germans make things so complicated...... It's like they sit around a table and say... Lets see how many moving parts we can put in this thing and make it work. I love the car and some of it is WAY easier to work on than my Corvette, like the plugs, but not being able to check the trans fluid is just silly.....

proarturs

It's a normal problem for the 5-speed and 7-speed MB gearboxes of that era paired with higher torque engines like the diesels or the V8's. I can't find it now, but in another forum a mercedes technician explained the problem.
It's related to a specific piece wearing down in the gearbox. Luckily nothing bad can happen, but the hard shift will stay there. Unfortunately, if you want to get it fixed, it's a 1000$ repair in Europe (maybe more in the USA)

I also have the same problem with my CLK, but nothing bad has happened and have been driving like that for almost a year (since day 1 of owning the car). I do have to say that when my car warms up, it always changes gears smoothly.

Anyway, I don't think this is anything major and enjoy your Mercedes!

lowpost

Rudeney

Actually, many car manufacturers are now using the bottom fill and overflow level check method. It makes it easier to build a car around the transmission when you don't have to worry about a dip tube, and it saves a little bit of weight (yes, every ounce counts!).

kb24forlife24

My car bangs 1-2 real hard when I'm doing some full throttle runs. It's always been semi-hard even when cruising and I've done the tranny fluid replacement

xsever

The 722.9 7-speed transmission control unit has a software update that will smoothen out the 1 ->2 shift.

jlpskydive

Is that a dealer only option? If not where else can I get it done? Thanks for the input, I REALLY hope this is what's wrong. The level is correct, I'm almost sure, the shop I took it to is has a great rep. They looked up the car and said it had been very well take care of through it's life according to them from the records they could see on the MB computer networks

xsever

Yes this is a software update only the dealership can perform. Go to your nearest dealership and get a quote.