Transmission noise in Park and Neutral 99/C280 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Thai GI · #1 08-27-2007, 02:02 AM

1. I was looking at a friends family car with transmission noise in Park and Neutral as the subject line states, he say that there is no affect on drivability, I also try it sitting putting it in all the gears it moves back and forward, no noise except in “P” and “N”, the noise is like a clinking not that loud.

2. I looked at the fill tube and of course it was the sealed type, were these units suppose to be a life time filed thing at one time but later a bulletin stating to change the filter and fluid?

3. Any thoughts? Is this thing going south

or just a fill and change thing?

Thanks in advance

Thai GI sends…

mbdoc · #2 08-27-2007, 09:50 AM

A fluid change MIGHT reveal a bigger problem..if you find metal in the pan.

myarmar · #3 08-27-2007, 02:34 PM

I had same problem with 99 ML430. The fluid indeed revealed a BIG problem - pieces from broken rollers and teeth. See the pictures. And the culprit was the bushing between input and output shafts in the 3rd picture. It was worn after 148,000 miles more than .040".
Drop the pan and take a look. If you see metal in there I'd suggest stop driving the car to avoid more damage and have the tranny rebuild.
Mike

Thai GI · #4 08-28-2007, 04:20 AM

1. Started going under the car, but at a work stoppage because in order to turn the engine at the crank pulley, I need an 17MM hex! It’s not the 27MM bolt that we can use a socket on like we use to in the older models, just a reference for those who are coming after… I have one lying around back at my house it was made by cutting/grinding an Allen key. Will return in two days, have to do some OT at the base tomorrow.

2. In the mean time I got a question about tranny fluid for this car. It’s around $20/qt at MB. Of course I didn’t get any, was wondering what would be a good suitable sub will DIII still work?

Thanks in advance

Thai GI sends…

Thai GI · #5 08-30-2007, 01:31 AM

1. I got in! The toque converter drain plug was in direct path of the exhaust header (bad design man!), this fluid (dark green also smelt differently then DIII) looked good with no foreign stuff in it.

2. Once I got the pan out it was a different story, there were metal bits in the bottom looks more like short broken pencil leads and less of the shavings (looks like broken bearing parts)… I went ahead and R/R the filter and top off with the cheap DIII, Started her up, the noise was still there, did the test drive still drivable.

3. I told my friend just drive it till it quits then replace. This unit had 160K on it and I don’t think the trany was ever service. Reading the treads these units had problems; it was probably a combination of both.

Thanks for everyone’s help,
Thai GI sends…