JohnnyC

Over all straightforward with many easy to follow tutorials on the web. I used the official Mercedes Benz Service document as my guide.

Would not recommend doing it on your own without a proper lift. It was very messy and back breaking. I did not have rags to sacrifice so I ended using a whole paper towel roll to clean up the spill i made. Did not have a parts washer like the dealer have. And the most funny thing of this ordeal is that my waste oil was very clean as if it was serviced before i got the car.

So i also had converted the aluminium one time use (torque to yield) bolts to titanium; I am very certain no issues should I arise from this. Will update if i have leaks!

B737

wow nice work JC. i did this on a friends C-Class on my lift a few months ago. not difficult, but an annoying amount of care must be taken. will prob do the GLK over the winter. i used the guides on mbworld and Pelican. do you have a PDF MB doc you used?

I used a motive power-fill to move the fluid in, and icarsoft for real time tranny temp reading. wide shallow tupperware containers kept spilling to a minimum.

JohnnyC

I did consider a fluid filler from Mityvac or Motive, but took the advice from someone that said to make one out of a garden sprayer and vinyl tubing.


I also opted to not drain the torque converter because I did not remember to buy the sealing ring for it. It shouldn't be detrimental to the performance of the transmission. I wish I documented the process with photos; but alas it was getting dark and late.

Here are the quick torque specs too:
-4nm then 180° (E10 torx pan bolt)
-22nm (6mm hex pan drain screw)

B737

haha garden sprayer, same job $95 less money, smart

thank you for attaching the PDFs i owe you a round of beers, much appreciated

JohnnyC

So revisiting the transmission service with better equipment this time. Going to add a made in Germany titanium drain plug with laser inscribing. The oil drain plug is also made in Germany.


A small delay is that I lasered the text wrong, so I removed it and gonna hafta get it lasered again.

I wanted to check the condition of the Mettec titanium flange bolts I used back a few months, they look so shiny and awesome. Never had a leak. I am considering getting them laser inscribed with the torque plus angle on each head. Oh yeah forgot to mention these are now 8mm hex instead of E-Torx 10; so one less tool to pull out. The flange is also 2mm smaller but the tension shouldn't be affected.



Also this time I picked up a few sizes of restaurant stainless steam table trays. These are made in the USA by Vollrath and boy am I impressed. They appear to be indestructible and able to serve me for decades to come. The engineered corners are really a nice touch and have a flawless polish. These are the Super V line and hold 14 quarts. Vollrath also has a 60 quart capacity Super pan.

Here they are next to what i used last time; a crappy plastic bin.

Mmr1

bop11

If you use aluminum screws make sure you use an antiseize. Galling of screws in similar metals is probably more likely than corrosion. If you ever tried to take the engine side covers off an old Japanese motorcycle you are well aware of the problems with aluminum screws in aluminum castings.

JohnnyC

Well looks I made a mistake. I thought the transmission casing is an aluminium alloy but it is actually a magnesium alloy upon looking at the specs. I only wanted the titanium so I could reuse the screws; but I have to convert back to aluminium. The issue is the galvanic corrosion that could potentially, although very unlikely, to occur. The magnesium alloy housing would corrode faster with environment contact such as road salt or cast iron brake dust than the galvanic corrosion from the titanium bolt.

I just ordered the correct aluminium hex flange bolts for replacement by Mettec. I don't want to use the Mercedes e-torx lol And the bolts i got from the dealer were really poorly made.


I would advise against from using the anti seize. that would greatly increase the tension created on the assembly.

JohnnyC

Second time.

Learned from past mistake to use the floor jack to stabilize the pan upon removal. I spilled very little oil this time.

Putting on the replacement aluminium flange bolts.

Ended up cleaning the brackets and removing the casting texture.

Fully installed

Flypenfly

I was quoted about $650 from the dealer on this, I wonder if they drain the torque converter and all.

KC61

I took mine to Certified Transmission here in Kansas. They said they never drain a torque converter, and that was the same answer from 2 other shops. I paid $300 for the service with genuine Mercedes fluid and filter.