The kickdown cable on my 88 300SE where it attaches to the transmission is leaking transmission fluid it has been for quite a while since I have bought it. The previous owner actually covered the entire base of the unit with seamsealer which he must have believed would stop the leak. I also believe that may be effecting the car by causing slower acceleration and shifting which it has been experiencing. I was just wondering if anyone has replaced this part, is there anything else that I should replace asides from the actual kickdown cable mechanism and if it can be replaced externally or does the transmission pan have to be dropped? I would have taken a closer look but I just had surgery and really can't get under the car at this time. Take Care.

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I just did that job today - reinstalled the tranny and forgot to attach the cable beforehand.

Yes, it can be done w/o removing the tranny or the pan, but it's not too easy. I took several stabs at it before suceeding.

1. look at a diagram of the little tab that holds the cable in - it's plastic, and twists CC (looking down), then the cable pulls out.
Get a small mirror to view into the cable hole to see what you are trying to unhoof and connect.
2. Remove the top end of the cable.
3. Pull up on the cable, after twisting the plastic holder - it will lift a little rod out of the hole, the rod has a 90 degree bend and just pushes into a hole in the end of the cable. Go ahead and disconnect it, the rod will fall back a bit into the hole, but cannot dislodge (it's hooked in and flattended on the other end).
4. Now for the fun part - pull the new cable out the bottom of the sleeve (the rubber accordian at the top of the sleeve will try to pull it back in) tape or wire the accordian on the top of the cable so that the bottom portion will extend out of the sheath, and you won't have to fight to keep it in sight.
take a small needle nose pliers, lift up the little hook rod, and slide it into the hole in the new cable. not easy, but I did it third try. Gently release the tape holding the cable out of the lower sheath, and gently lower the cable into place in the tranny. Lock the little plastic tab, and connect /adjust the upper cable. To adjust the upper cable, pull the cable out until the first resistance is felt (like you are beginning to compress a spring) adjust the cable sheath nut until the ball socket will just snap on while the cable is in this position.
There should be virtually no slack in the inner cable with the throttle closed, the cable should just be at this first resistance.

Good luck,
DG

Thanks for the info, your description was so good I can picture exactly what the job will require. Now getting off all of that glue will be fun. Will let you know how it goes. Thanks Again.

Replacing that cable is a joy. the real fun is threading the hook just inside the port into the eye in the cable termination and keeping it engaged while you get the cable base to snap into place, all while keeping the O-ring situated.

I was able to do it with just the front end of my W126 up on jack stands and that solved my leak problem too. Is yours leaking from where the cable goes from plastic base to actual cable?


Best of luck!

I just did the job yesterday and it did fix the leak. I am still having the problem with the car shifting really slowly though. Any ideas what this could be as it is really killing the acceleration.