Hi all
Sudden onset of a rattling sound from under the car while driving my W212 E63 today. Pulled over and found the part circled in the pic below loose and caught I think between the black and the silver brackets running perpendicular to the exhaust pipes.
Part number A221 492 0130


Although it looks like it is only some sort of protective shield/bracket it is nonetheless concerning when any part - but particularly one that looks to be secured by 2 heavy duty bolts - suddenly parts company with the rest of the car.
The car is completely stock (ie not like in the attached photo) so I then began to wonder if a Mercedes Benz dealer transmission service just 1000 miles ago might be more than a coincidence.
My question is therefore for anyone on here who does their own transmission oil and filter changes:
- would this part need to be removed during a routine transmission service and thus was not reinstalled properly (perhaps the two bolts that attach it are single use only and got re-used incorrectly)?
- if not routinely removed if this bracket has been slowly working loose for the past 30 odd thousand miles of driving should it have been noticed during the recent transmission service, or for that matter during any of the "checks" and "inspections" allegedly performed during routine services?
And lastly as I can't get under the car to have a look myself could there be an array of related parts now set to work loose and drop off, assuming these bits have not done so already?
Any input is much appreciated, in preparation for my "look what just fell off the car" visit to the dealer when COVID is done and dusted.
Cheers

I can offer nothing to this thread other than I just had the tranny service at the dealer today. Also, that pic has one clean undercarriage- I'm adding my weistec pipes this weekend!

If a sound develops, I'll report back.

I imagine there may be variations across W212s, and so some of the brackets may be different. I have done 2x transmission services for 722.9, and do not recall needing to remove the bracket in the back. I remember the space there is tight, and one can be tempted to loosen or remove this cover for easier pan removal/installation. The transmission pan is held by the 6x aluminum bolts/clamping bodies (4x at each corner and 2x at each long side). The bracket in question is not mentioned in any WIS article related to 212 when performing the transmission service.

I looked up p/n A221 492 0130. It is called "Protective Cover, Left Bracket on Right Bracket." This is to protect 2x bolts M8X35 holding the left and right exhaust brackets and rear edge of the transmission pan. This part is used in 074, 075, 274, 275 variants of 212. (Also used in several other bodies of 216, 218, and 221.) The part is designated as 675 in the diagram. The M8X35 bolts torque Nm 20.



Regarding other parts around the transmission pan, I recall to unbolt the bracket at the front edge of the transmission. This bracket supports the wiring harness and may obstruct front edge and one corner clamp. Hope this helps.

That is a photo I found trying to locate where the part had come from. It might well have been a photo on the Weistec site. Be sure to check that all the bolts around the bottom of the transmission are nice and tight when you fitting your pipes.