SLK/R170: 99 230 Transmission Failure
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
99 230 Transmission Failure
Irecnetly posted a thread in the tech forum regarding my transmission failure - and thought I repost the original thread here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-tech-talk/241556-722-605-transmisiion-failure-99-slk-230-a.html
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
https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-tech-talk/241556-722-605-transmisiion-failure-99-slk-230-a.html
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
#2
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Part 1 - Removal
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.
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.
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
I can see why your wife is concerned about you. Around the mid-atlantic there are a bunch of salvage yards that specialize in MB like Potomac German Salvage, maybe you can get a used one to put back in there. Use www.getparts.us to locate one.