W163 ML270 2002 722.6 won't engage any gears!

[Blueyes1971]

Ok ... So managed to get the selector rod off ... Both rod bushes are in great condition at either end so no worries there.
Removed the last bell housing to engine bolt and got rained off...working until 3pm tomorrow so will remove trans probably on my own somehow after work and the TC .
I'm off work Tuesday and Wednesday morning so will get a good run at re assembly and hopefully wrapped up Tuesday afternoon if not Wednesday.
Just gotta work out a system with jacks perhaps to get this done on my own if needs be so I'm not waiting for help.
Watch this space.
\m/

 

[Richard Moakes]

Impressed Sir, I wish I lived local to you, it would be a pleasure to help a fellow spannerman

 

[Arudge]

Impressed Sir, I wish I lived local to you, it would be a pleasure to help a fellow spannerman

And right now i'm on holiday in errrrr.......Newton Abbot!!!!

 

[Richard Moakes]

Small world isn't it? Hopefully the lovely Devon weather isn't causing too much trouble for you

 

[Richard Moakes]

Tools and code reading available for refugees down here if required

 

[Arudge]

Yes, it's been vile

Tools and code reading available for refugees down here if required

Mmm... We did break down on the moor, i have my own on-going issues with the transmission but i did discover Legend Ale along the way, so it wasn't all bad.

 

[Blueyes1971]

You have all become topic stalkers and head nodding bystanders....watching lone me do all the work..lol
I could do with a quality ale after this if all goes to plan.
Small update...conductor plate socket and loom conector are both good with new feeling / flexible o rings, although the 7mm bolt was no more than finger tight...now I know it's not to be too tight but trust me it was not tight enough...so much so I'm surprised it hadn't fibrated loose...or perhaps it has been.
Thanks for the words of encouragement and keeping my spirits where they need be.
Will report back tomorrow afternoon, with how I get on removing the trans alone.
Fingers crossed and very well protected ⚙

 

[Arudge]

You have all become topic stalkers and head nodding bystanders....watching lone me do all the work..lol
I could do with a quality ale after this if all goes to plan.
Small update...conductor plate socket and loom conector are both good with new feeling / flexible o rings, although the 7mm bolt was no more than finger tight...now I know it's not to be too tight but trust me it was not tight enough...so much so I'm surprised it hadn't fibrated loose...or perhaps it has been.
Thanks for the words of encouragement and keeping my spirits where they need be.
Will report back tomorrow afternoon, with how I get on removing the trans alone.
Fingers crossed and very well protected ⚙

You want the TC to come off with the transmission, make sure you've unbolted the TC from the flywheel, you'll find access for the six bolts through a plastic cover on the front of the bell housing, if you haven't found it already. On mine i had to tip the transmission back quite some way to get it out, very little room between the bellhousing and the fire wall, yours may be different.

The transmission is ****ing heavy. 80KG. Yes, you can bring it down on a jack, take your time and make it a controlled decent.

With everything disconnected and the weight on the trolley jack, or whatever your using, you only need to drag the transmission back 1" or so before lowering. The TC may well be tight on the housing as the transmission comes down, but the front of the TC is roughly flat, no shafts poking out or anything, but some levering may well be required.

Good Luck

You are approx an hour from where i live and i was going to offer, but i'm away......sorry.

 

[Arudge]

Didn't like the look of that metal you found in the pan either, but impossible to know exactly where it's come from, the transmission or the TC, you may just have to cross your fingers on that one, but i'd put my money on a bearing track.

 

[Blueyes1971]

Cheers bud, I will get the trans off today and report any findings...we'll see what happens I guess.

 

[Blueyes1971]

You want the TC to come off with the transmission, make sure you've unbolted the TC from the flywheel, you'll find access for the six bolts through a plastic cover on the front of the bell housing, if you haven't found it already. On mine i had to tip the transmission back quite some way to get it out, very little room between the bellhousing and the fire wall, yours may be different.

The transmission is ****ing heavy. 80KG. Yes, you can bring it down on a jack, take your time and make it a controlled decent.

With everything disconnected and the weight on the trolley jack, or whatever your using, you only need to drag the transmission back 1" or so before lowering. The TC may well be tight on the housing as the transmission comes down, but the front of the TC is roughly flat, no shafts poking out or anything, but some levering may well be required.

Good Luck

You are approx an hour from where i live and i was going to offer, but i'm away......sorry.

A, do you mean unbolt the TC before I remove the trans?
Cheers

 

[LostKiwi]

Yes unbolt the TC from the flex plate and lower it with the transmission.

 

[Blueyes1971]

Cheers Kiwi...I'm on it

 

[Blueyes1971]

Yes unbolt the TC from the flex plate and lower it with the transmission.

Kiwi, what's the reason for removing the TC with the trans....isn't access much easier after I've removed the trans?
I'm right on it now so just want to double check as it looks like I have to turn engine every time under compression to locate the bolts that I still can't find through those rectangle holes in the bell housing?
Cheers

 

[Blueyes1971]

Anyone?

 

[Richard Moakes]

Is the torque converter fully drained? If not, I would imagine it would be messy if you pull the transmission away from the TC?

 

[Blueyes1971]

No not fully drained....I'm guessing a litre or so still in there but I have prepared for that.
There is no drain plug on the newer ones...including mine....just doesn't make sense to me to struggle getting at the fixings to remove it with the trans if it's only a question of mess.
I realise installing it in with the trans makes sense as you need to know its aligned with the pump etc correctly...but just want a definitive answer as to why remove it with the trans?
Cheers

 

[Richard Moakes]

In my view it's down to the potential mess and is there enough clearance to pull trans away from TC ?

No other reason I can think of

 

[Blueyes1971]

Looks like enough clearance

 

[LostKiwi]

A number of ressons:
1. Mess
2. Clearance
3. Risk of damage to gearbox and TC if you don't pull absolutely straight.

By pulling TC with transmission all those go away.

Refit the same way (TC attached to gearbox).