Sprinter T1, 308, 410D gearbox problem 711 113 overdrive unit

wub

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2011
Messages
150
Reaction score
30
Location
chippenham
Your Mercedes
410d 2.9td 1990
Hi

I have a Hymer based on a 410D merc twin wheel chassis with 2.9 diesel. It has the overdrive version gearbox, 711 113. The box is fine when warm, no crunching, easy gear change. But it has a problem when cold that is getting worse. When you start up and pull away in first, its almost impossible to get it into second, until its warmed up a bit, about 5 mins. This makes it very difficult when starting off every day, as all you have, is the very low first and third on a very heavy vehicle. Its time to get this problem sorted.

I cant seem to find anyone who knows what the problem is and have been quoted £1500 plus vat for a recon job on my box. As my box is good when warmed up, and i believe they are reliable boxes, i just wanted to check this is not something simple form someone who knows these gearboxes. is this a common problem? I wouldn't know as I've never driven another.

Any advise?
 

clarkmichigan55b

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
324
Reaction score
76
Location
sunny Surrey on a sunny day
Your Mercedes
Mercedes 208D T1 van 1989
First of all check the gearbox oil level and make sure it is filled to the correct level and with the correct oil (Automatic Transmission Fluid).
Are all the bushes on the external gear shift linkages present and in good condition 6 nylon bushes.
Has anybody altered or adjusted the length of the selector rods or the position of the selector arms on the gearbox as this can make the difference in the quality of the gear change.
You are correct in the boxes are reliable check the above first. I do not have the exact length the rods should be.

If you need to contact me i have limited access to the internet at the moment so a reply may take some days.

Adrian.
 
OP
W

wub

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2011
Messages
150
Reaction score
30
Location
chippenham
Your Mercedes
410d 2.9td 1990
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #3
First of all check the gearbox oil level and make sure it is filled to the correct level and with the correct oil (Automatic Transmission Fluid).
Are all the bushes on the external gear shift linkages present and in good condition 6 nylon bushes.
Has anybody altered or adjusted the length of the selector rods or the position of the selector arms on the gearbox as this can make the difference in the quality of the gear change.
You are correct in the boxes are reliable check the above first. I do not have the exact length the rods should be.

If you need to contact me i have limited access to the internet at the moment so a reply may take some days.

Adrian.
Hi Adrian

Yes it was messed about with as i had the gearbox changed from the standard to the 711 113 overdrive box and the garage who fitted it had a problem with linkages as i recall. So if it is linkage length wrong, how do you rectify, fiddle until it works or is there a set length? I will check the bushes etc weekend.

Also maybe you can help with another problem. The front springs were virtually flat when vehicle empty and close to bumps. I assumed lost their spring over the years and with the increased weight of the hymer camper conversion, probably overloaded from the start. So i sent them off to Jones springs, in Darlaston, to get them re-tempered and an extra leaf added to over come the sag, and the wallowing.

I picked then up to day as it happens and noticed the new springs had a wedge where they attach to the axle. I couldn't remember this on them when i sent them, so check photo's i had when i got back and low and behold, they never had the wedge on when i removed. The spring place said every 410D they have done and they have done loads, always had the wedge, its to alter the angle of the axle.

Whats your take on this as mine never had the wedge? If i fit these with the wedge, the axle will twist slightly.

be interested to hear what you think?

thanks John
 

clarkmichigan55b

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
324
Reaction score
76
Location
sunny Surrey on a sunny day
Your Mercedes
Mercedes 208D T1 van 1989
Hello John,

When you had the gearbox changed did you keep the old gearbox with the linkage and arms, if so you could transfer the dimensions from one to the other if the levers are the same. The levers should have a number on them which start with A6 .
I have enclosed 3 pictures of a standard 711.110 gearbox as fitted to a hymer 410d. Please note the pictures are of the vehicle been left in gear (Right hand lever should be about vertical).
There is a correct length for the rod length and angle which i do not have. Look at the pictures i have sent you and you should be able to work out the positions from them.

As for the axle i have just checked the online parts catalogue for my van and it shows it as a shim of different sizes. i have an old Mercedes workshop manual only for a 207d i will check to see if it gives any indication if it was fitted and how to set it up.
I have enclosed a link to a online Mercedes part number site. Put in your chassis number and it will come with parts for your vehicle.

Hope this is of help,
Adrian.

http://www.catcar.info/mercedes/?lang=en

410d Gearbox 01.jpg 410d Gearbox 02.jpg 410d Gearbox 03.jpg
 
OP
W

wub

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2011
Messages
150
Reaction score
30
Location
chippenham
Your Mercedes
410d 2.9td 1990
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Hi Adrian

Unfortunately i don't have the old box. The mercedes garage that did, turned out to be somewhat dishonest and we fell out and i lost my old box. I was new to merc trucks then and then new it and ripped me off with bogus repairs, even showing me the worn bits which i now realise were worn bits from something else, not even fitted to the 410d!

They told be the selector has narrow plates the thickness of 50p pieces which bend when forcing the gears and this is what causes the change difficulty. I took the selector plate off my spare 711 113 and couldn't see any of the "Plates"?

Thanks for the pictures, i will have a look at mine.
 

clarkmichigan55b

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
324
Reaction score
76
Location
sunny Surrey on a sunny day
Your Mercedes
Mercedes 208D T1 van 1989
Good Morning,

Sorry to hear that your repairs were not up to standard.
I have enclosed pictures of my gearbox selector arms and linkages which is the same overdrive box as yours.
Is your vehicle left hand drive? if it is the selector box on top of the gearbox is different to RHD but selector arms and rods should be the same. Note the angle of the selector forks.

I have enclosed a pdf of setting up of the wedges on the front suspension.

Adrian.

001.jpg 002.jpg 003.jpg 004.jpg 005.jpg
 

Attachments

  • Mercedes T1 Wedges.pdf
    43.6 KB · Views: 5
OP
W

wub

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2011
Messages
150
Reaction score
30
Location
chippenham
Your Mercedes
410d 2.9td 1990
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Thanks for that Adrian and sorry for the delay in reply! the job fizzled out due to other commitments. so i found a good used 711 113 box out of a 307D, which i am going to fit. Well actually my local garage are, as they have a lorry pit and the kit and its in for a MOT as well, plus the clutch has gone, so good time to change it. I remember somewhere that there is different oil used in these boxes, depending on the serial number. Do you know about this? Also, do you think the linkage arms will be the same from a 307D to the 410D? The box i have has all the linkage arms and the shifter, so i guess better to just swap the whole thing?
 

clarkmichigan55b

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
324
Reaction score
76
Location
sunny Surrey on a sunny day
Your Mercedes
Mercedes 208D T1 van 1989
Good Morning,
The gearboxes had a number of different shift boxes and linkages fitted over the years this depended on the age and models.
Do you have the old linkages and selector box for your old gearbox? this may help.
As for gearbox oil if the box has raised letters on the filler plug from memory it will SAE 80 if not it will be automatic gearbox oil.

I will look up the spec sheet later to confirm this and let you know what you need.
 

clarkmichigan55b

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
324
Reaction score
76
Location
sunny Surrey on a sunny day
Your Mercedes
Mercedes 208D T1 van 1989
If you have the 711 series gearbox it should be filled with ATF oil sheet number 236.2 Type A Suffix A i have enclosed a link to the recommended oil by Mercedes.
From memory the linkages are different from the 307d to the 410d.

https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/236.2_en.html
I have also enclosed 2 pdfs spec sheets for 207/307d and later 208/308/410d. It gives the gearbox ratios.
 

Attachments

  • Mercedes 2021-04-30-12-25-19.pdf
    627.2 KB · Views: 4
  • Mercedes_2021-04-30-12-25-55.pdf
    754.9 KB · Views: 3

miguelmcgomes123

New Registration
Joined
Aug 3, 2021
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Your Mercedes
410D
Hi

I have a 410D from 1995 série 711
With 5 gear.

The linkages rods they went out and i cant find the write position to enter the gear.
Please someone knows the exectly dimension?
thanks.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20210802_134202.jpg
    IMG_20210802_134202.jpg
    146.1 KB · Views: 2

Comand Online Ltd is a specialist supplier of Mercedes Navigation Disks, Phone & Bluetooth, iPod, DAB, CD and other COMAND retrofit parts to enhance your vehicle.www.comandonline.co.uk
Top Bottom