gtwhaley

Hey guys, I need to replace the trans on my 99 ML430. Do I have to replace it with a 1999 model year trans or will a later model work?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Greg

AMG_only

A buddy of mine has a 99 ML430 and needed the tranny rplaced, he put in a later model ML55 Tranny, it's more heavy duty and shifts better.

gtwhaley

Hey thanks AMG! Would it possible to find out from him if there were any modifications (wiring, computer programming or brackets) needed to make that tranny work. I'm hoping it would be straightforward. The interchange books says 99 ml430's only and I just want to be sure an newer model will work. I purchased this 99 ML430 knowing the trans was shot but I think I got a decent enough deal, even better if a newer, more available, less expensive trans will work.

Thanks for your input!!!

AMG_only

Not sure where your located, but we are eastern us, try him tomorrow

DO NOT CALL DAVE ANYMORE......

gtwhaley

Thanks a TON! I am in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. Thanks again!

mzjay2

I'm actually looking for a transmission for 98 ML320, but not sure if its worth buying one with 100K miles or more on it. My current mileage is 189K. I would love toi know what people think I should do! I was thinking of trying to sale without tranny.....

gtwhaley

I bought mine with a bad tranny for $2500. It's a 99 ML430 with 104k miles. Very nice shape except it won't move forwards or backwards but it looks nice! I located a tranny out of a newer model and will pick it up in a few weeks. Gotta get it done before winter hits. In the end, you gotta do what you think is best. After all, it's your budget and your objectives. IMO, if you have owned it for a long time and have addressed all of the other issues with these vehicles, stick a trans in it and drive it another 100k. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

mzjay2

Hmmmmm....you just gave me an idea! Thanks for your input!

Kurths

I bought a reman from silver star in okc for 2600 + 300 for a new tcm. 100 for a jack and the hardest part about the r&r was getting the truck high enough off the ground to clear all the tool. Nice folks at silver star. All they do is MB trans.

gtwhaley

I just got my transmission out this weekend. You are right, so far not a bad job at all. Hopefully will get the replacement by Friday and install over the weekend. The replacement is out of an 03 ML500 with 49k miles.

Can't wait to get this on the road. I suppose while I've got it raised up, I should replace the diff & tcase fluids also.

Kurths

Always

gtwhaley

Well, just wanted to update my thread with the results of the transmission swap.

All is wonderful! Even thought the interchange manual says that only a 99MY transmission will work in the 99 ML430, with the help of a fellow mbworld member, I was able to replace mine with one from a 2003 ML500 that had 47k on it. Since I bought my ML with the transmission already toast, I have no benchmark to compare to the newer transmission, but I like the way it shifts now. So far I have put about 2300 miles on the transmission and it appears to be a success.

There were only three noticeable difference in the actual transmissions. One was the shift lever which I swapped with the original one, the part number, and the last is that the 99MY uses a cable attached to the brake pedal to allow the trans to be taken out of park only after applying the brake pedal. I simply wire tied that cable up and am not using it.

My original torque converter had the drain plug, the one from the 03MY did not have one. I considered to use my original but opted to go with the newer one for fear of possibly contaminating the new trans with shavings from the old trans.

On Thursday, I put on a new set of Yokohama Geo AT's (275/60-17) and just in time for our snowfall.

Other things that I need to address....

Door panels seem to be loose at the bottom in spots.
Drivers, lower cushion heater does not appear to be working.
"A" pillar interior panels need to be recovered.
I think that's it....at least for the ML! Now I have to do some trans work on my TDI Jetta

Anyways, I'm a happy newbie ML'r! Thanks for the help here!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all!

Woody1950

After 10 months how did it work out?
Woody

i-xclr8

The tranny crapped out on my wife's '99 ML430.

First I followed forum instructions on replacing the conductor plate and had the codes cleared by an import shop. Worked great for 6 months....til one day my daughter said it was sounding like "a spaceship".

Obviously stuck in 2nd gear limp mode. I had a shop scan the transmission since my OBDII reader wouldn't do it. The verdict: a slipping transmission. On the way home it slipped going into 3rd, then finally ended up in 4th. Checking to see if the TC locked up, I gave it some gas and the tach went up to 6 grand....and I coasted to the side of the road. I restarted it to reset the computer and drove the last half mile in 2 gear limp mode.

I was a little worried having been told that the '99 trans was a "99 only" transmission for about $1800. Thankfully someone had been brave enuff to try a newer, more common unit.
Conclusion: I bought a 2001 ML500 trans with 48K on it for $750 w/ $100 delivery. Despite being an ASE-certified mechanic, I was a little worried about R&R-ing the trans since I usually am limited to FWD Japanese cars. In short; I removed F and R drive shafts, tranny crossmember, dropped the transfer case, then could use a reverse torx socket with a long extension to remove the bell housing bolts.....not too hard.

The only difference from Whaley's post was the shift lever on the transmission. I would have switched it, but is seem pressed on. The easier thing for me was to shorten the linkage about 1 inch in the adjustable end. I bent it some to correct fitment and then use the set screw to fine adjust the shift position to correspond with the P and D indicator on the shift knob inside.

It took 9 liters of $16 transfluid to get it back on the road. Fortunately all the hard codes had cleared in the transcomputer and it shifted nice a crisp between all the gears.

This is probably not a job for a mechanical moron, but I would encourage anyone whose car is exhibiting problems requiring replacement, to give it a shot. This is a pretty expensive vehicle to begin with and expensive to own. I always figured that it's a good thing to learn how to fix my own car years ago. In this case you'll come out way cheaper than the 4-5 grand the dealer would charge.

Thanks whaley! You saved my life....and my wife's ML.

gtwhaley

Just happen to check back in and see someone else had swapped the 99 transmission with a newer one. Awesome! Congrats!

So far, 2 1/2 years later, I have put about 67k miles on my ML since the swap. No issues whatsoever.