Just about to recieve a 1998 Merc 2.5 diesel from a mate. Drives really nicely (but won't win a grand prix!), very solid and lovely engine. 180K, but the autobox clunks slightly shifting back and forth from D and R. Is this a sloppy driveshaft of something in the autobox. Is it serious or could an autobox service sort it out? The gearbox otherwise performs perfectly driving at speed.
Any thoughts welcome.
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Hi there,
Both my wife and I own automatics - hers is a 4WD Toyota which doesnt clunk, whilst mine is rear-wheel drive and does give a little clunk when going from P-D or R-D. I've never worried about it as I think its just normal play in the driveshaft - a 1988 BMW320 my brother owned (i.e. RWD) also clunked.
I wouldn't worry (unless a Merc auto owner states otherwise).
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Any delay (more than about 2 seconds) between moving the selector and the clunk is likely indicative of a worn reverse gear clutch pack. If there is no delay then the clunk is wear - propshaft joints and/or crownwheel/pinion backlash in the diff. Rear driveshaft UJ's could also be worn - all these are quick and easy to check for once under the car.
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Otter
Could simply be a case of needing a gearbox oil and filter change. I've got to get this done on the Jeep next (30000 ml)service, but then it does do some heavy towing work.
Terry
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For what it's worth, my 450,000 190E clunked into and out of gear but all was peacefull (ish) after one whole second. Two seconds should be investigated.
Ask Andy Gayle on www.mercedesservicing.com/contact.asp a Mercedes specialist. I 'm sure he won't mind. Better if you are in the car with the full service history (it HAS got one hasn't it?).
rojer@lycos.co.uk
Astra, Renault 18, Renault 25 TXi, Astra Est, Passat Est, Mercedes 190E, Mercedes
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Just normal slack. If it aint broke, don't fix it.
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Thanks all for your thoughts. Its definately not a long delay in taking up the drive, no more than a second - so hopefully just some normal wear and tear in the box/drive. I know these Merc boxes are supposed to be very strong and it has'nt been used for heavy towing. Will get some new gear oil in there anyway.
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Make sure the correct amount of fluid is used. The box on my E320 Coupé started playing up just after a major service -- sluggish to engage, over-revving in certain instances, etc. Thanks to the help I received on this very board, I was alerted to the possibility that there was not enough lubricant in the box. Lo and behold, the main dealers who did the service admitted that they had failed to refill the box correctly and it was short by 1.5 litres (or was it more?).
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