muskratbenz

I had some very hard 2-1 downshifts, and when I stopped to look for any possible leaks and check the fluid (had my homeade MB dipstick in trunk), the trans had slight metallic whine/grind and a stalled P-D engagement. Rather than risk any more damage, I had it towed to my home. Dropped the pan and found 15 or so needle bearings about 1/8" long (probably from input shaft and/or K2 failure). I dropped the transmission yesterday, but I haven't had time to dig into it yet. If anyone has experience with 722.6's, I would appreciate any advice they can give (and I'll post photos/details as i work through this for future reference). I'm a very experienced DIY'er, but not a tech or a professional mechanic. Assuming I am able to diagnose the failure, I ams till unsure how much damage those bearings may have done as they made their way to the pan. I know I may well end up buying a rebuilt trans at the end of this story, but I'd like to give it a try myself first. Am I totally wasting my time?
-Travis

whoover

That's the way they fail and it pretty much ruins everything. Best bet is a rebuilt.

benz-tech

the fat lady hath sung. get a reman. its not worth building once it makes a grinding noise

unitfreebie

Sorry to hear your tranny died... but all those 1999 5speed will die due to not changing the transmission oil every 25,000 miles and will cause a failure in the planetary gear! So if you rebuild it get the updated gear...

Mine on a 1999 E320 failed at 105,000 miles after believing Mercedes spreal about 100,000 transmission service interval. It was easier and faster to just pop in a rebuilt but @ $5,000 a pop!

Please take pix of the rebuild and post your progress on this thread as that is an old transmission and a lot of people can help you out.

Good Luck and May the Force Be With You!!!

vettdvr

Who is a good supplier for rebuilt transmissions?

Ausmbtech

Honestly, bang for your buck, get an exchange transmission. Don't bother rebuilding it.

I've just finished rebuilding my own transmission (I'm a MB Tech), the next one will be an exchange box because it cost me in genuine parts what it would have cost me to just get an exchange unit (and I didn't even include my labour!)

muskratbenz

Trasmission Progress:
Here’s the transmission on my kitchen floor (wife loves this). Pulled it last night using EPC schematics and the Alldatadiy removal instructions (by the way, if you are a DIY’er, aldaata is a great resource for $25 annually. I have a copy of WIS, but it is often dependent on access to STAR diagnosis equipment). Missed a few a bolts, but got %90 of the job done in less than hour – the remaining 3 hours were finding and fighting with the bell housing boilts at the top of the tranny).
I found a used transmission locally with 90K on it, and a thirty day warranty, for $600 , no core exchange. So I’m going to roll the dice on it to get the car running.It may have had a rebuild or repalacement – but the dismantler is not sure (came out of a 9OK mile S320 – 1997, same 722.605 number). Meanwhile, I’ll take my time doing a rebuild on this one and hopefully learn something in the process and end up with either a backup or saleable transmission.
I also found a '98 SLK 230 with a claimed (and owner documented) 8K miles!! It's in Florida, so I have to pay for shipping, and don't have the same recourse as I do with local shop sale. Any suggestions/advice are appreciated and welcome.
Pulling a trans in the parking garage of an apartment complex late at night is frustrating, but doable. We’ll see how the rest goes – updates to follow.

vettdvr

Well Done.!.. Good approach. After installing the used tranny,, research into rebuilding the one you pulled. Then keep us informed on the results. Be sure to take digital pics for posting to help others. Thanks for the info.

keith100

Pulling a trans in the parking garage of an apartment complex late at night is frustrating, but doable. We’ll see how the rest goes – updates to follow


Yeah, well done Travis