vladc77

I’d like to clear this out if I can. I learned about two different schools of thought regarding transmission fluid change. The first one is that we need to perform this maintenance once in 40 000 miles. Another is that the ATM fluid change should be done one-time only at 40 000 miles. Is anyone can tell what the right thing to do with it?

One more thing, how often the oil has to be changed in differentials?

Thank you in advance

KrustyKustom

I just did my 40k service. In looking at the service intervals the transmission from what i can tell is a every 40k item on my 2011. Nothing on differentials or transfer case however i changed both diffs and transfer case. My car has not towed anything and the transfer case was gross, front differential was dark, rear diff was still fairly good looking. Transmission fill (factory fill) was dark green and very clean.

Fluids are cheap..Mercedes are not.

vladc77

Thank you for the info. What kind of fluids did you use for Tranny and differentials. Cheap? Where did you buy them? Thank you again.

KrustyKustom

I used Mercedes transmission fluid (134) in transmission and transfer case. On the diffs I used LubeMoly brand (German made), 75/90 is what startek info said to use.

Flushed brake system with a power bleeder, used Ate dot 4 blue tinted brake fluid. Brake fluid was exactly 2 years old and was hazy, needed new.

On the fluids the Mercedes dealers wanted a fortune, like 27 bucks a liter. I also have a Sprinter van and when I was at the Frieghtliner dealer they had the same spec fluid for 16bucks!

vladc77

Thank you again. Did you change fluid in transmission by yourself? Is that hard? Did you have to flush transmission fluid?

KrustyKustom

Yes, I did the transmission myself. You need a few special tools but I have the confidence in knowing it was done 100% right. Two dealers I spoke with said it was unessessary to drain torque converter. I wanted it all drained.

No flush technically, just a full drain and refill. You can search 722 transmission service for some tutorials, I would review the startek info as well. All of the 40k maintenance I did for about 400 bucks cost, dealer wanted 1200. It did take me a whole weekend but I was going slow and methodical cleaning things along the way and checking my torque values on all bolts etc. I enjoyed it, as it is such a well made vehicle it is a pleasure to work on.

vladc77

Great! I am wondering do you have some sort of cart lift at home or you used jack stands? What are the specials tools you are talking about? Where did you buy them? Thank you again.

KrustyKustom

I put the whole car up on jackstands and left two bottle jacks at the front end just in case! I had plenty of room to work.

On the special tools i had to order the tool that fits the drain pan which fills the transmission via a pump. I already had brake fluid pressure pump (essentially a glorified bug sprayer) and made a hose off of it to the pan adapter. I filled two liters at a time making very careful measurements as i went. You also need a infrared thermometer if you do not have the MBenz software which works fine. your fill is correct when it overflows at 119f if remember correctly.

I purchased the transmission adaptor from here http://www.toolsource.com/mercedes-7...-p-105640.html

Here is a good article on the procedure. Remember your overflow tube is different part number on a GL/ML.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...50768961,d.aWc

vladc77

KrustyKustom
Thank you a lot for your write up. Now, I feel confident that I can do it in my garage and be in the control of all procedure knowing for sure what is done. I mostly want to do it myself for this reason.

GLguy

I found several link on how to change transmission fluid, but can you post good references for front/rear differential fluid change as well as transfer case?

Thanks

alx

please do not reinvent the wheel. the tranny fluid is one time change at 40k miles and the front/rear diff/ transfer case are filled for life.

there has been no field proof that straying from the above schedule leads to problems with said components.

N_Jay

If you dig into the story behind the story, you find that MB (and ZF) went from lifetime filled to once around 40K.
Digging a little deeper you find that ZF (Who does not make the MB transmissions, but uses very similar technology in their transmissions) recommends changes between 40K and 80K miles, with references that the first change needs to be at the earlier point to remove the contamination from wearing in of friction material.
My guess is that with the first change at 40 and the next now due till 120, it is well beyond where the manufacturer is too concerned with exactly how long the transmission runs before rebuilding/replacement.


The other side of the story is that for those who are looking for longer ten typical operation (150K/200K+ miles) there is probably nothing you can do that helps extend the useful life other than not abusing the car and REGULAR fluid changes of all fluids.


Even gear oil picks up contaminants including moisture and acids, and is degraded by heat. Transmission fluid even more so.


Don't Sprinters have a similar transmission?
http://www.vasprinter.com/sprinter-service-menu.htm

alx

all i am saying is that higher mileage x164 trucks are not coming in with diff/transfer case/tranny mechanical problems.

at this point i have visibility on quite a few of those and those problems are simply not there

N_Jay

That is good to hear, (and makes me hopeful that my GL will run a long time) but does not alter the fact that newer fluid is better than older fluid in maintaining proper operation of the transmission.


What do you call "Higher Mileage"?

YodaSyrup

That is good news. What are the most common problems you are seeing on the higher mileage x164's? And your recommendation for preventative maintenance to keep them in check?

KrustyKustom

Alx will probably have good input as to common areas to keep an eye on but here is my list,

Suspension
Electrical switches
Rack n pinion
Diesel oil coolers and egr
Rear hatch latch

Honestly also I am worried about the longevity of the rear sunroof "plastic" panel with respect to UV rays. Mine is a 2011 but I looked at 07 in the parking lot the other day and it had a lot of distorted little "cracks" and crazes from the sun I suspect?

I have had my GL for 2 years and really like it. Solid, good tow vehicle.

racebmwm3

Can you point me to where it says that the tranny is a one-time replacement at 40k? The maintenance manual says every 40k.

eric_in_sd

Maybe 2010 is different, but my 07 is clearly 1x at 40k.

The tranny rebuilder I got my 722.9 from said change every 20k.

Tranny shop I go to does a partial fluid change (5 qts) and filter change.

The last one they did was no help, tho, cos the tranny went kablooie 10k miles later.

kain78

Have an 07 GL450 and doing every 50k miles. I don't have the maintenance book handy but I remember pulling it online and it says at the end to do it every 40k, as I recall.

alx

full disclosure- while i do not see fluid- related failures and the book says one change at 40k miles... my personal vehicles with 722.9 trannies get atf change every 50k miles... fluid comes out clean, but... for the principle.

now, the center diff is a different story... i change it too every 50k miles and fluid comes out very dark. yet, mb states diff fluids are for life.

a2j

I know that guys with sprinters who change theirs ATF every 60k don't have issues for 500k-750k miles

kensiko

Searched but didnt find anything.

Any DIY threads/videos on the differentials and transfer case?