w108 auto transmission rebuild

[Rich_1971_280s]

Hi all, I have searched on this subject and haven't had much luck. I am contemplating undertaking a DIY rebuild of my 1971 280s auto transmission which packed up on me earlier this week.

I am no stranger to a engine rebuild and other extensive restoration and rebuild work, but have never opened up an auto box before.

I am looking for resources, printed, online or otherwise and someone who has done this before who might be able to guide me, or put me off altogether.

Is this a fairly straightforward auto box? Can I expect to order my parts, dissasemble, clean, replace, rebuild and re-install or are there some tricks to this that mean I should steer clear.

Thanks,

Rich Lackey

 

[Rich_1971_280s]

a bit more information

Since more is always better when it comes to info. Here's the situation, in case a full rebuild is not necessary.

I've only had the car for two weeks, my first Mercedes, and my first auto. I have noticed the past days driving that normally my oil pressure gauge is pegged at 3. I assume this is normal, I have no idea. Anyway, this particular day I notice it's dropping slightly at idle, a little lower every few times I inch forward in traffic but comes up full when I move. This worries me, and I decide ok, if I can make it a mile I can stop at a garage.

Well, I hardly made it around the corner of the intersection before a loud thump sound, one I can feel, and then no power, as if it's just been dumped in 4th or I don't know what. I pull over immediately and switch off the ignition thinking I just blew the motor.

I had the car towed home and called one of our Mercedes specialists here in Cape Town. I explained the situation and he asked if I have tried to turn the motor over since then. I say no, but I go out and crank it. It fires immediately to life, full oil pressure, and I sigh in relief that the thump was transmission not engine.

I call them back, ok, engine runs as normal, now they ask did I try to move the car, but no, of course I didn't shift it out of park. So I go back and now it won't even turn over at all, as if seized.

So, my assumption is that whatever is wrong with the transmission is stopping the engine from turning, but the engine is probably still fine, it did run no problems just before I tried for the second time.

I'm also assuming a 40yr old automatic needs a full rebuild regardless of if this is as serious as I assume it is or not.

Any help, wisdom, insight is appreciated.

 

[ched999uk]

I have no experience of your car but as for engine oil pressure it may drop a bit when the engine is warm and you are at idle speed but it should stay above 1.5-2.0 bar even on idle. If the engine will no longer even turn over that I would investigate the engine first before removing the gearbox.
Try and turn the engine over by hand from the crank shaft pulley using the centre nut. If it will not turn over make sure the gearbox is in neutral

Good Luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[nickcc101]

Would have thought it a good idea to leave it to the experts. It really is a job that even the most skilled mechanics would leave alone. All of the Mechanics/Technicians I have worked with in the past would never attempt this type of work without the appropriate training.

 

[johndd]

Today, Car is the important and vital part of our life. Common man also enjoys the facility of a car. As we use cars we also need to maintain them. So we need car accessories to make the car's interior comfortable and exterior glamorous. The best place to look is online. There are many shops and dealers to provide auto parts for your car. We should maintain our cars.
mbzparts

 

[Hughie Maguire]

I have a 3.5 v8 with an autobox if you might be interested

 

[DSM10000]

Automatic transmiossions often need specialist tools to take apart and rebuild and also specialist test equipment to set up and check afterwards. Although this will be a relatively simple gearbox it would be best finding a local expert to rebuild it for you.

If you want to go ahead spend a lot of time gathering all the information you require, make friends of your local transmission specialists as they may let you borrow the occasional tool, provide you with valuable knowledge and other help. Also, when stripping and rebuilding a transmission you need to do so in alsmost surgically clean conditions, a small piece of dirt getting to the wrong part can undo all your good work.

If you do go aead then good luck and keep us informed!