Hey guys. I am thinking about keeping the car (I love it) and fixing the issue. I thought it was transfer case--- that is what someone told me. I have since learned that the transfer case is integrated into transmission.

What happened is this: When I was going to drive to miami, when I first put it into reverse, it seemed like it didnt go into gear. No noises or anything, but i didnt feel it going in if you know what I mean. I put it back in park and then in reverse again and everything was fine. I drove for almost an hour on I95 at speeds up to 85 mph with no issues. Out of nowhere, it started pulling pretty hard to the left. I pulled off the hwy and stopped at a gas station. I thought maybe tire was flat, that is how it felt. Not the case so I started to driving again. within a mile it started acting weird, and after I stopped again, the car would not go back into gear. I had it towed home. It was leaking transmission fluid very badly and quickly at that point. A large pool of fluid built up under the car after sitting in my car port for 2 days.

I am wondering how painful of a job it is to swap the transmission out. Anyone ever do it? I notice no youtube vids on it which terrifies me. I can get a used transmission for about $1k. I am pretty good at turning a wrench. I do all the work on my cars but this is out of my depth. I have swapped transmission on my mustang race car. I am assuming that it is a way more complex job for this one. I was told that a few parts from the old transmission need to go into the new one for ecm purposes. I think he called it a "coupler" but not sure. Hopefully someone on here has knowledge to share. A link to a video or walk through would be amazing. If anyone on earth can understand me loving this car it would be you guys on here. I am in central Florida east coast.

 

you want to keep you car by swapping a replacement used tranny

You can drop out tranny only but Mercedes specialists prefer to drop powertrain as one unit to service it with easier access.

The point being the service you don't do now will become due around the corner... might as well bite the bullet when convenient.

Back to tranny job... it is married to chassis by "SCN Coding" of its conductor plate. While you're dealing with transferring or renewing the TCU, you have valve body solenoids out... keep/replace?