auto box gear slip W124 30D estate

[telletubby]

i've got a '95 W124 diesel estate with an auto box that slips in second, probably because the first owner towed a horse box. So i'v e been driving it like a manual for six months taking my foot off to let it change up. But it does make for some ponderous driving. what are my options? A replacement box seems almost too expensive at around £3k quoted by dealer but I love the car.

Any advice would be very welcome please.

 

[kit820]

I saw an old thread earlier on quoting a gearbox rebuild for a w210 automatic only at around 2000 pounds including VAT and pick up. There was also a loan car if I remembered rightly. Start searching.

I don't think there is any other option other than a gearbox rebuild or replacement.

 

[tom7035]

I've noticed on this forum that every auto-box fault, no matter what, appears to require a new or rebuilt unit at enormous cost. I am not an expert by any manner or means, but I do recall actually being able to adjust the brakebands (or to be more precise, the servos which operate the bands) on British 'Borg-Warner' boxes many years ago to overcome this kind of problem. I hadn't the proper pressure testing equipment or stuff which I believe should have been used and did it simply by trial and error and successfully too, on a Triumph 2.5 P.I. and again on a 3.5 V8 Rover. My time was my own and I had the facilities like a ramp, etc. I must admit.
Are MB boxes so much different though? Surely something is adjustable for a slipping band?
Must be someone out there with a little specialist knowledge. (Probably someone a little older like myself who used to repair items as opposed to replace them, as happens nowadays!)

 

[Richard Moakes]

Brake bands aren't used all that much these days, apart from reverse I believe?

Anyway, these days they use multi plate clutches with friction material bonded to metal, when these wear out, it's rebuild time.

Also, the seals tend to harden and leak with age, reducing pressure to the clutches causing slip.

Not much to be done other than strip it down, replace seals and clutch packs, all of which has to be done in a very clean environment.

Cheers,

Richard

 

[tom7035]

Cheers Richard - showing my age I suppose!

 

[telletubby]

Thanks all - guess I'd better start saving. Probably best not to be tempted by seconds on Ebay. Forgive my ignorance but are the auto boxes for diesel and petrol 124 engines the same?

 

[guydewdney]

my electronic box was re-built for 1200 quid at George Fraser in west london... that one is simpler and is a 722.3 gearbox... the same as my sprinter (which is slipping as well)

in the meantime - get a new filter (from the merc dealer for 10 - 12 quid) and 6/7 litres of standard ATF fluid.

remove drain plug from gearbox. allow oil to drain

remove drain plug from torque converter (visible from under car through 2" square hole - you might have to rotate engine to find it.)

replace drain plugs with new seals.

lob 3 or 4 litres of ATF through the dip stick tube

start engine.

hold brake and slowly cycle from D to P via R. do this 4 / 5 times

stop engine

lob in 2 more litres. repeat gear thing

check level with engine running. add more oil as needed - with gearbox WARM NOT COLD. fill to bottom level MAX when cool - go for a drive, get box warm (10+ miles) check again - top up etc etc etc.

makes a big difference, and doesnt cost a lot.

Guy

 

[aal]

slipping gearbox

My W124 had slipping second gear, fix it or it will burn out,George Fraser rebuild mine quickly and VERY low cost, give him a call,nice guy and MB expert.