reverse gear issue.
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 70
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From: Perth (Aust)
300CE-24
reverse gear issue.
just recently,i have begun experiencing a longer delay after reverse has been engaged, and a slight vibration grind as i begin to move backwards, accompanied by a slight slipping of the reverse gear(engine revs rise slightly,than gear grabs).All other gears operating normal and beautifully.Car has covered 150,000 kms, transmission oil is new and full, and filter is new also.Could someone please enlighten me on this reverse problem?much appreciated.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 457
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From: Lockport, IL
'95 3.2 M104
I've got bad news for you.... but the work on your tranny must be done ASAP otherwise I hope you have enough money for new/rebuilt tranny. From what I've heard - reverse gear - always go bad first and that's a sign to see a good "mechanic". Just do yourself a favor and don't go to AAMCO. They take your money and guarantee you life time warranty and keep your car 4ever and if you have a problem your car will stay there for as long as they wish. They're just terrible... 
Member
Joined: Sep 2003
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Mercedes Benz
Gorbettteam is correct. Your B-3 clutch ( reverse clutch ) is worn out and most likely, the K-1 clutch is on its way out as well. It usually is.
This is only remedied by an overhaul. If you drive in this condition for an extended period of time, you will damage the B-3 piston which is rather expensive. You´ll break off the positioning pin, due to its extra travel distance as a result of the worn clutch discs. You might even damage the planetary gears also, if severe dirt gets in between the wheels. And those are not cheap ! Let alone the valve body. -Bad news, I´m afraid.
This is only remedied by an overhaul. If you drive in this condition for an extended period of time, you will damage the B-3 piston which is rather expensive. You´ll break off the positioning pin, due to its extra travel distance as a result of the worn clutch discs. You might even damage the planetary gears also, if severe dirt gets in between the wheels. And those are not cheap ! Let alone the valve body. -Bad news, I´m afraid.
Last edited by 124-Fan; Feb 19, 2005 at 06:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 70
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From: Perth (Aust)
300CE-24
thanks for the info guys,looks like it's gonna cost a couple a bucks.But i also would like to know,in a general sense,whether this is a common occurance,with w124's which have travelled less than 150,000 kms.My car has been very well looked after & is immaculate in every other respect.Is this just bad luck or what?,i thought the w124's were bulletproof up to much higher kms covered.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Mercedes Benz
Well, I wouldn´t call it a common occurrance having covered less than 150000 kms. This kind of failure usually doesn´t happen until around 250000-300000 kms, or even later. But anything can happen.
The 124s are in my opinion rather bulletproof cars. When was the last time your fluid & filter was replaced ? Is there enough fluid in it ?
The 124s are in my opinion rather bulletproof cars. When was the last time your fluid & filter was replaced ? Is there enough fluid in it ?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Richmond, Va.
1991 300E
Just a thought, don't get your hopes up, but your problem might be the front and rear Drive shaft flex disc. These look like big rubber donuts with a steel band around them. They take the intial shock out of your drive shaft when the tranny engages. When they wear, they can fray and start to look like a golf ball that was run over by a lawn mower, just a big hairy wad of strings. The grinding noise might be the strips of worn rubber flailing against your driveshaft tunnel. If they wear out, you will get kind of a "delayed shift" feeling when you put the car in gear. Kind of like a Bump noise from the rear end. They are not expensive to replace. However, the fact that you only have problems with reverse kind of rules this out. I would check them anyways, along with the tranny.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Sherman Oaks
2004 C240, 2015 GL350 Bluetec
My tranny in my w124 diead at 78k miles, so anything is possible. the previous owner had never changed the tranny fluid or filter and the clutch packs on 3rd and 4th gears disentigrated.
After having it rebuilt, all has been well for the last 40k miles, and have changed the fluid and filter 2 times since then. last time my mech saw the fluid and was like why am I changing this? the fluid still looks brand new, and I said just because you were under the car anyway so I figured why not do it.
AshMan
After having it rebuilt, all has been well for the last 40k miles, and have changed the fluid and filter 2 times since then. last time my mech saw the fluid and was like why am I changing this? the fluid still looks brand new, and I said just because you were under the car anyway so I figured why not do it.
AshMan
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 70
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From: Perth (Aust)
300CE-24
Originally Posted by ashman
My tranny in my w124 diead at 78k miles, so anything is possible. the previous owner had never changed the tranny fluid or filter and the clutch packs on 3rd and 4th gears disentigrated.
After having it rebuilt, all has been well for the last 40k miles, and have changed the fluid and filter 2 times since then. last time my mech saw the fluid and was like why am I changing this? the fluid still looks brand new, and I said just because you were under the car anyway so I figured why not do it.
AshMan
After having it rebuilt, all has been well for the last 40k miles, and have changed the fluid and filter 2 times since then. last time my mech saw the fluid and was like why am I changing this? the fluid still looks brand new, and I said just because you were under the car anyway so I figured why not do it.
AshMan
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Mercedes Benz
Originally Posted by MB-JIM
Anyone know approximate cost to replace the reverse clutch? My 400E with 115,000 miles lakes a clicking sound in reverse.
There is slight difference in parts cost, though.
If you go for original clutches, you buy each disc individually and then there is the set of seals. All the rubber seals and the teflon rings should be included in that.
-A clicking sound in reverse indicates worn B-3 clutch. The B-3 piston travels too far because of the worn clutch and rubs against the K-1 clutch carrier. The B-3 retaining circlip and retraction springs might also be out of alignment.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
I'd say that's more frequent....
than you might think. These trannies, especially on the 93 up cars, just do not have the durability of the older ones. And if you don't service them, yes, they will puke in a heartbeat. The reverse issue is the first symptom.They will also "flare" on the upshift, especially 2-3. If you're lucky enought to have someone who can rebuild it, good for you. There's no one in our area to do it, so we're usually forced to deal with used or facotry rebuild.
