SL/R129: '96 SL in the shop for trans rebuild.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Kirkland, WA
97 SL320 Sport, Black. 2003 Denali XL, 2002 Gmc PU, 84 Mustang race car.
Is this the lifetime never needs to be serviced tranny like my 97? How many miles? I wanted it done on my 60K service and the dealer said it's not needed.
Dan
Dan
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Originally Posted by DANSMB
Is this the lifetime never needs to be serviced tranny like my 97? How many miles? I wanted it done on my 60K service and the dealer said it's not needed.
Dan
Dan
Early units had plenty of quality problems. If you look at the troubleshhooting chart in the diagnostic manual from Mercedes for this tranny, it's amazing to see how many problems have a possible cause listed as being a loose or missing screw that is internal to the transmission.
I've read that these problems only affected the first few months of the '96 model-year. I've also read where they continued into '97...
Last edited by bobterry99; Jun 30, 2006 at 12:14 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 732
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From: oregon
2011 C300
This is a 96 with 125k on it. It appears that the trans has been out before. (looks like wrecking yard grease marker numbers on bell housing
) Cause of failure turns out to be failed sprag gear. (one way gear that now goes both ways) this tore up a drum and sent metal through the system. computer put trans in "high pressure" mode, causing hard shifts.This trans is BIGGER than the one in my 4wheel drive truck! Huge compared to most others.
) Cause of failure turns out to be failed sprag gear. (one way gear that now goes both ways) this tore up a drum and sent metal through the system. computer put trans in "high pressure" mode, causing hard shifts.This trans is BIGGER than the one in my 4wheel drive truck! Huge compared to most others.
