vili1982

shdoug, what do you drive now?

GEDaggett

It doesn't feel like a traditional slipping were the rpms hang up. the gear doesn't engage for 1 to 2 seconds and then shifts in firmly. I will try the adjustment and see what happens. I think I am going to be looking to trade the 320 in on a 420 or 320 wagon in better shape so I just need to hold her together to trade it in about 2 months from now. I may sell it out right but I don't feel right selling it to an individual with a weak tranny and lying is not my thing so hopefully the adjustment fixes her all up good. Maybe parting it out is going to be better return on $$. thanks for the info. Do you have any screen shots of the location of that adjustment from the CD??

ksing44

Link to page 2, with a not too great picture I took of the white plastic modulator cover on my 1995 E320. Page 1 includes the background and expert advice from a real MB mechanic.

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...=182598&page=2

GEDaggett

Thanks

RHW

Just for those in NJ, if you need tranny, this shop is installing a rebuilt Silver Star Transmission for me for well under $3000:

http://www.poconosforeigncarservice.com

They are just across the border from NJ to PA and Poconos prices are lower than most NJ prices.

GEDaggett

ouch!! still a chunk of change

ksing44

My dealer told me $5000.00 US, so that sounds like a bargain to me. Of course I don't go to the dealer anymore, but it still serves as a comparison for what some may have had to pay for a trans.

GEDaggett

Glad I can do my own work. I saw a trans for my 320 for $1100 rebuilt. That is a weekender (until you start finding or breaking stuff a you go.)

ATL_S124

youre right about that, we did it on minez just not enough... and once you cant adjust that anymore its K2 spring time...

GEDaggett

I adjusted the modulator and it didn't do the trick. How invasive is replacing the spring kit. Is it a trans pull or can it be done from underneeth?

Quicksilver500

Its really easy, just take the pan off, and there are small metal plates on the side of the valve body that have two screws in them. Loosen one and take the other out, slide the plate down and try not to get hit in the face when that spring pops out. assemble the new one and stick it in there bolt it back up. Torque spec on the pan bolts in 12 Nm don't over tighten it or it will bend the ears and the thing will leak like a SOB. I just bought a E320 coupe with a new MB trans in it and the thing leaks because they put the pan on too tight.....Should take 3-4 quarts to fill back up and maybe put a new filter in while your in there. Check for chunks in the bottom of the pan. This spring mod is really only for the 2-3 shift I think. 126-270-44-77 is PN, I think mine came with instructions even.... But all you need is a 13mm socket, 5mm allen, and a screw driver and you can do it, really easy.
-Mike

GEDaggett

Great website for trans parts. Got a complete spring rebuild/mod kit filter and pan gasket for $65.00 plus shipping.

bulkpart.com

Quicksilver500

Any developements with the upgrades?

GEDaggett

Getting the complete spring upgrade kit from UPS today. Probably put it all in on Friday. I will post. I may even try to do a pic spread.

appatula

Please keep your word on the pic spread! This is something I'd like to see

GEDaggett

I will do my best. It is going to be a driveway job so it all depends on how high I can get the car on the ramps. I will do the best I can. Also I purchased a trans rebuild and repair manual sight unseen. I will let you know if it is any good.

GEDaggett

The more I work on these cars the more I like Benz. Apparently the valve body assembly comes off with 6 or 8 bolts. I can then take the whole assembly intacked and set it on the work bench and open it up to replace the springs. I got a complete spring rebuild kit and there are about 8 valve spring sets to replace. I will take photos and post a how to. It is amazing to me how much they built these cars to be worked on. Hopefully this fixes the issues I have.

Quicksilver500

Be really careful not to tear that valve body gasket, it can be tough to re-align it. Can you send us the info on the spring rebuild kit? PN's and such?
-Mike

GEDaggett

Thanks for the tip. The web site is bulkpart.com. they actually sent me the diesel part but they are sending me the correct one tomorrow.

part # S68165G for gasoline
part# S68165D for diesel

cost is $53 us

The kit is actually a kit for getting more adjustment when the modulator is not enough. There are 2 levels harder and 2 levels softer for both 2-3 and 3-4. It comes with pretty good diagrams and they have a transmission repair and rebuild book for $17 that was worth it. I should be doing the job on saturday and I will do my best to do a post with pics and details.

fred1948

[QUOTE=Quicksilver500;2994180]Be really careful not to tear that valve body gasket, it can be tough to re-align it. Can you send us the info on the spring rebuild kit? PN's and such?
-Mike[/QUOTE

Not all models use the gasket. My 95 E320 with 722.369 transmission did not have a gasket.

GEDaggett

[QUOTE=fred1948;2994950]I have the same .369 trans in mine. Good to know.

GEDaggett

I know some of you were looking forward to a nice post with pics of my trans valve body upgrade. I have postponed it becuase I found out it was not the issue. Mercedes has this wonderful little quark where if you park your car (with a 722.3 or .4 trans) on an incline and it sits for a weekend then your trans fluid can drain out of the torque converter into the trans. The trans has a saftey built in that will pump out out tranny fluid if there is a large excess of fluid in it. so apparently my trans pumped out approximatly 3 quarts of fluid and when your trans gets that low it really doesn't want to work that well. I changed the fluid and filter and filled with proper levels and it shifts like new. I am going to hang on to the kit as it is actually a mod kit to firm up the shift for more responsive shifting and harder 2-3 and 3-4 shifts. If I do it I will post.

RHW

Just for follow up, I picked my Cab up yesterday- total net charge for the rebuilt transmission installed was $2624 including labor and return/core charges.