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Transmission clunk when shifting from P to D or P to R on a hill

Old Jan 22, 2012 | 02:06 AM
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e350 sport sedan
Transmission clunk when shifting from P to D or P to R on a hill

I'm a first time owner of an MB. Anyone experiencing a heavy clunk when shifting from P to D or P to R when starting from a hill? The steeper the incline the louder the clunk. BTW, I don't use the parking brake. Should I be concerned?

My driveway is in the background of the pic below and the clunk happens when I'm parked in my driveway or anywhere there is an incline or decline.

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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 08:06 AM
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You gotta use the Parking brake or you'll hear those jarring clunks when shifting from P on steep-ish hills.
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 09:29 AM
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Thanks. Good to know. Learning something again.
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 10:52 AM
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Yes, those clunks are normal. They're super loud on my E; dealer said it happens on every MB; checked it out on my S, and the same thing happens
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 11:31 AM
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Thank you for reconfirming it. I poke my nose in this forum everyday just to learn more about my grownup's new baby.
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 03:58 PM
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Thanks all. I appreciate the response.
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 04:01 PM
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sweet **** sigpic ronJavier.......have you considered a black grill?
forgot if I asked already
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 07:40 PM
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Black grill is unique, jazzy and mean looking. Certainly, I can't say anything bad about it.
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 08:57 PM
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It happens on every car that i owned so far! I usually have it on parking brakes when im uphill/downhill. I was in San Francisco recently, and I was wondering how their tranny would hold up. As you know, San Fran has steep, steep hills!
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Old Jan 23, 2012 | 12:06 AM
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This happens on every and any automatic car, its also bad for the tranny. To avoid this terrible noise, apply the hand brake firmly before putting the vehicle into park...this way the transmission prawl isnt holding the car still, the brakes will.
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Old Jan 23, 2012 | 01:00 AM
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I NEVER let my car sit on the tranny. I always put the E-Brake on BEFORE I release the brake (i.e, no rolling after I put it into "P" until it lays on the E-Brake). Very bad for the tranny, makes that nasty clunky sound, and will probably make the tranny perform "clunkily" in the future as well.

Another reason why I am closer to vowing to never buy a Used Car again.
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Old Jan 23, 2012 | 02:26 AM
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Lol I didn't know that...crap...haven't used the parking brake very often come to think of it. The two times that I have used it, I drove away with it still partially engaged...up to 20 mph...not good, so I decided to leave it alone
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Old Jan 23, 2012 | 02:58 AM
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Lol. I've done that before, but with these cars the whole dial goes red!

I make it a habit to use E Brakes on every car I drive (except for Rentals). At least with my 2011, M-B made the foot brake harder. My W211 and even 2010 E had softer pedals that you really had to press down on HARD to get the proper engagement (in order for it to not roll). I literally sprained my foot (well, not literally, but almost) with my W211's parking brake, you had to continuously press that damn thing down so hard.
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Old Apr 19, 2021 | 02:22 PM
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I know how to stop this clunking, its does not fix it but i know a way to stop it forever, and its easy and simple to do, a lot of Mercedes develop this clunking at R when chaging from P to R to D when you go throught the gearbox, its normally worse the steeper the incline on the hill, what ever you do, do not spend a fortune on gearbox, engine, propshaft or diff mounts, or transmission fluid, theres no need, my fix costs nothing, I have an SLK250 diesel, if you email me i will send you the instructions on how to stop it, my email is mrcmason@hotmail.co.uk
.
.

ronjavier
"I'm a first time owner of an MB. Anyone experiencing a heavy clunk when shifting from P to D or P to R when starting from a hill? The steeper the incline the louder the clunk. BTW, I don't use the parking brake. Should I be concerned?

My driveway is in the background of the pic below and the clunk happens when I'm parked in my driveway or anywhere there is an incline or decline."

Last edited by Mr Mason; Apr 19, 2021 at 02:28 PM. Reason: quote
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Old Apr 19, 2021 | 02:59 PM
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can you grace us with a public forum answer or is it strictly private ?
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Old Apr 19, 2021 | 03:09 PM
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Its a diagram and instructions, too long to post, just email me, trust. Ok, tomorrow i will make a video, post it on youtube and paste a link to the video here, the Mercedes gearbox clunk is about to be fixed forever, watch this space.

Last edited by Mr Mason; Apr 19, 2021 at 06:58 PM.
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