1985 MB 409 D Motor Home

[Matthias]

Does anyone know where to find parts for a 1985 Mercedes Benz Motor home? I am looking for a rebuilt or replacement transmission and or if I can convert the manual transmission to automatic.

[kerry]

Some of those were built with automatics. If you look under motorhomes on mobile.de you can occasaionaly see automatic versions. I don't know which automatic they put in there.

[Idle]

Check with your Freightliner dealer. I think Mercedes owns them in the US.

[kerry]

In my experience, only the guy in the pacific northwest and the former Europa G Wagen dealer in Santa Fe had the parts microfiche for these older gray market vans.

[JMela]

rebuilt remanufactured mercedes benz automatic transmissions

Sun Valley might have some answers for you.

[686point3]

Hi
I have a couple of old Mercedes Busses/Vans around that year.
Could you fill in your profile and maybe post a couple of photos of the vehicle to know what we're dealing with here.
Then I can answer some of your questions.
Lots of times DMV or owners get the year wrong or even the model and then it's anybody's guess what is really helpful info.
It's helpful to know where the person is that I am 'talking' to.
Thanks
Alex

[Matthias]

I attached some vehicle external, transmission, and transmission tag pictures.

[Matthias]

I updated my profile and posted some pictures.
Thanks for all of the replies to my post.

[kerry]

What caused that transmission to fail like that? How many miles on it? Did the flywheel fail or clutch explode or something?

[kerry]

Actually it's not the transmission. It's the bellhousing. I believe those bellhousings are interchangeable between all 616 and 617 engines in cars, vans and G-wagons. Shouldn't be hard to find that bellhousing. Are there other problems besides the cracked bellhousing?

[97 SL320]

I've seen bolts come out of the pressure plate / coil spring escape and get caught between the flywheel and bell housing.

If you were going to convert to an auto, I'd probably go with a 4 speed GM 700R4 with lockup torque converter.

Given MB diesel engines are a popular conversion into US domestic cars / trucks, there are a few adapter kits floating around but you would need to verify what you have. And of course, the best bet is to find another bell housing and fix what you have.

[Matthias]

I have 55K miles on it. The transmission did separate from the engine before the crack bell housing happened. I had it tightened and fixed and was driving cross country to Michigan. The shifting rod came loose and I couldn't shift anymore. I don't know why the bell housing cracked. The vehicle is currently in Utah. The shop says that they cant find parts to fix it.

[Matthias]

I will look for a bell housing if only i knew where to start. I checked with a Mercedes dealer today and was told that I can use a transmission from a 240D. Does anyone know if this is true?

[kerry]

No the 240d transmission is not the same as far as I know. I assume it's a 5 spd in the 409d with a granny gear. I'm pretty sure a 5spd from a G-Wagon will fit. I'm also pretty sure its the same bellhousing attached to most 616 and 617 engines in 123's. That bellhousing should be available in many junkyards or even on the used part section of this site. What parts does the shop think it needs? Did they give any explanation for the failure of the bellhousing?

[kerry]

This place sells parts for the MB vans.

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