W126 transmission fluid change

[944S2cab]

The gearchange had become jerky and I have no idea when the fluid was last changed. I decided to change the fluid and filter.
I have the book "Buying and maintaining a 126 S-Class Mercedes" by Nik Greene which is very useful and covers this job. If anyone is doing this job with the help of the book I would like to add my observations.
1. The book says that you will need a helper to turn the crankshaft nut. I did not have a helper. I removed the ring from the fan shroud. This gave room for a ratchet handle with 27mm socket on the crankshaft pulley nut. I could then turn the torque converter with this whilst looking for the drain plug.
2. The book shows the torque converter drain plug behind the plastic bung. I removed the bung but could not find the drain plug. I removed the crossmember and found the drain plug further back, behind the square hole in the third picture on page 137 of the book.
3. Be careful when lowering the pan. It contained about half a litre of fluid.
4. Be careful when removing the filter or you will splash fluid onto yourself.
5. Have plenty of rags or paper available. This is a messy job.

The gearchange is now much smoother. I hope my experience of this job will help others.

 

[ivan1983]

One thing I used to help me line the drain plug and not have to go from engine bay to under the car multiple times was to use 2 phones and video call.
Line one up under the car pointing at the aperture where the drain plug would be have the other one in the engine bay and watch the video feed as you rotate the crank.