Torque converter lock up
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 287
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2014 E63s
Torque converter lock up
I am having a audible thud from the driveline. Feels like the torque converter isn't disenagaing. When letting of from full throttle the car jerks as if the torque convert is locked. I suspected center support and flex disc, after changing them I still have the thud! It seems to have started after doing a full tranny flush when I get the car. I couldn't tell if it was there before because the motor mounts etc..... so I got a star. I try re-adapting the trans with star and I was able to make it marginally better. When turning the lock off clutch in star the car drives smooth as I expected it should. So I am thinking l, new valve body? The pan didn't have a spec of material in it!
Last edited by g60wall; Mar 9, 2017 at 08:12 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2011
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2004 CLK 500
I can't tell you which part you need but I can tell you after owning two of the 5spd and two of the 7spd every single one of them has a little jolt feeling when accelerating when the converter locks. All my cars have been used with at least 45k or more miles so I can't tell when this starts but it's been there on all four.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 287
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2014 E63s
Yes
I currently own 4 big s-class I pretty well versed and I agree there is some normalcy but there is extremely more pronounced and when turning off the lock up clutch in star car is smooth as glass. The converter feels to stay engaged on decel, coming off full throttle there is a jolt! Coincidentally my S55 does this same thing ever since had the transmission replaced with a new unit. I feel it has to do with torque converter adaption and a under performing valve body. I order a new Mercedes valve body. I don't want to **** around with this. I'm on the fence on just replacing the transmission.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 287
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2014 E63s
Well, car is pretty much non-driveable now. limp-mode is induced with any real throttle input in 1st and 2nd. I am figuring the Tune with no cats just toasted the 90k mile trans. After fitting the 5 bar regulator car pulled like complete monster. New valve body, will be here Thursday(big snow storm coming tonight) hoping that solves this issue, if not torque convertor will get thrown on. Not a spec of material in the pan, so i have a feeling it is just the valve body. Wish me luck
Heres a pull a few days before she pretty much let go. Also, just to add I'm not surprised that she let go, looking forward to replacing with new hardware!
Heres a pull a few days before she pretty much let go. Also, just to add I'm not surprised that she let go, looking forward to replacing with new hardware!
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
FWIW, I did the sonnax upgrade parts when I pulled my VB during the first trans service I did, one of the upgraded pieces is the TCC valve. Much better engagement on my unit now, although I still feel it's nowhere near 100%.
I had some, fairly severe, TCC and shifting issues in my car. I dropped the valve body and did a new conductor plate and trans service, and replaced the pistons Sonnax sells with the upgraded ones, one was the TCC apply piston. Between the fresh fluid and the reduced leakage through the VB, it feels like a new trans. I was fairly certain before the service that I was wasting my time and would end up needing a new converter and trans rebuild. I am still amazed at how much better it got for such a minimal investment.
Sonnax 68942-23K and 68942-05K were the two kits I ordered, cheapest deals I could find were vendors on Ebay
^^ copied from another thread
I had some, fairly severe, TCC and shifting issues in my car. I dropped the valve body and did a new conductor plate and trans service, and replaced the pistons Sonnax sells with the upgraded ones, one was the TCC apply piston. Between the fresh fluid and the reduced leakage through the VB, it feels like a new trans. I was fairly certain before the service that I was wasting my time and would end up needing a new converter and trans rebuild. I am still amazed at how much better it got for such a minimal investment.
Sonnax 68942-23K and 68942-05K were the two kits I ordered, cheapest deals I could find were vendors on Ebay
^^ copied from another thread
Last edited by ItalianJoe1; Mar 13, 2017 at 07:53 PM.
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 933
Likes: 25
2004 CLK 500
FWIW, I did the sonnax upgrade parts when I pulled my VB during the first trans service I did, one of the upgraded pieces is the TCC valve. Much better engagement on my unit now, although I still feel it's nowhere near 100%.
I had some, fairly severe, TCC and shifting issues in my car. I dropped the valve body and did a new conductor plate and trans service, and replaced the pistons Sonnax sells with the upgraded ones, one was the TCC apply piston. Between the fresh fluid and the reduced leakage through the VB, it feels like a new trans. I was fairly certain before the service that I was wasting my time and would end up needing a new converter and trans rebuild. I am still amazed at how much better it got for such a minimal investment.
Sonnax 68942-23K and 68942-05K were the two kits I ordered, cheapest deals I could find were vendors on Ebay
^^ copied from another thread
I had some, fairly severe, TCC and shifting issues in my car. I dropped the valve body and did a new conductor plate and trans service, and replaced the pistons Sonnax sells with the upgraded ones, one was the TCC apply piston. Between the fresh fluid and the reduced leakage through the VB, it feels like a new trans. I was fairly certain before the service that I was wasting my time and would end up needing a new converter and trans rebuild. I am still amazed at how much better it got for such a minimal investment.
Sonnax 68942-23K and 68942-05K were the two kits I ordered, cheapest deals I could find were vendors on Ebay
^^ copied from another thread
I just ordered those two Sonnax kits from eBay, is there anything else you think I should get or do while doing this? Thanks!
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
These transmissions respond well to good new fluid. I'd do the service and VB stuff and see what you get. I got intermittent speed sensor faults so I did the conductor plate (use OEM only), it's cheap enough insurance since you're in there. Also get the connector/plug that always leaks.
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2004 CLK 500
Thanks it seems to be a pretty good deal, nobody has been able to match it so far.. also, which fluid is the best to run? Also how much do I need? Thanks again!
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
You need about 5-6 quarts if you removed the valve body. You will need the workshop dipstick to set the level properly.
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2004 CLK 500
I ordered those two Sonnax oversized fixes for the valve body but now that you bought a new one and it runs like brand new I want a new one lol.. wondering if I should try these first or if it's really like brand new maybe I should just do it right the first time..
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2004 CLK 500
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
I thought my trans was toast, so I figured for the ~$60 for the repair pieces, it was worth a try. My car drives much better now so I'm happy for the time being. When the trans lets go it will get beefed up for more power anyway.
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2004 CLK 500
I've been looking into the Sonnax and it looks very nice I'm just wondering if I should try that or just do the valve body and be done with it. My cost on the valve body is about $700 and I can have it Wednesday.. still tying to decide. I like the Sonnax kit but the couple guys on YouTube who installed them said they didn't notice anything and that worries me..
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2004 CLK 500
