Thank you, JRS, for the excellent details and pictures.

Do you know if the 4 springs you referenced are the same? The place sells the Sonnax spring lists only this spring for the 722.6 transmission. I am think it might be worth it to replace all 4 in the next fluid change for my 1997 E320.

Thanks again.

 

Loubapache, you're welcome. As I recall, the 2 outer springs seemed lighter than the one replaced, so I believe those are different. Regarding the other spring that's "capped," I didn't pull that one out and look at it.

 

The other capped spring is much lighter and shorter.

 

OK, thanks. So they are different.

This is the 4th success story I have heard about this spring fixing the 2 -> 3 and 3 -> 4 slipping. There is another thread and the member attached a scan of the instruction sheet that comes with the spring.

For the last 3 years or so, the transmission in my 1997 E320 has a slight intermittent slipping going from 3 -> 2 (just before stopping). There have been reports on mercedesshop as well. I have not checked any of the springs and a fluid change (3 years ago) did not change anything. It is not a big deal as it is very slight and does not happen often.

The cause of this by Mercedes in a TSB is the transmission control unit but mine was replaced under warranty. I hope it is something similiar like your spring because I am not going to replace the TCU just for this.

 

I would like to thank you for your detail information on spring replacement. Loubapache led me to you for my shifting issue. It cetainly helped me to access the spring and for the replacement. Like you mentioned, It must be a item to check with tranny service for maintenance.

Cheers,:thumbsup:

 

Yes, this is an excellent write up and it is in our W210 stickies, along with CrossT's as well.

Thanks JRS.

 

No problem guys - and after a few months of driving I'm happy to report that the spring replacement did solve the problem. The transmission shifts like new.

 

Mine was not broken but I replaced anyway when the valve body is out of the car. My problem was the conductor plate (speed sensors). A new one made the car shift like new, just like yours, JRS.

 

Ok quick question on this topic. I am going to do a trans service today and was wondering that since my car has 153,000 mi and Although, I have NO shifting issues Should I replace this spring????

 

Then do not worry. If you are curious, though, you can take a look at it while changing the fluid.

But then it is a $2 part for a peace of mind.

 

OK I have detremined I want to replace this spring , problem being Is I cannot find one Avail Any Ideas???

 

I certainly would, as it's cheap insurance (about $10). And if you're in there anyway for fluid and filter replacement, it's not much extra effort.

 

if dealer doesn't have one in stock, they can do expedited shipping and can get it next day, i think it's only $8 extra for the expedited shipping. i bought one few days ago just to have it in case i will need to replace it in the future. the dealer quoted me $4, and said it would take 2-3 days to get there, or for $8 more would be there the next day.

 

What's the torque value for the 12 torx screws?

 

4 Nm

 

Bansai: Yours should have the updated valve body, bearing, etc, so you do not need to worry about this. You should not have the drain plug for the TC, right?

You are right that EPC does not list these small parts so dealer parts people have no idea. However, some transmission repair folks have give out a few numbers.

 

Thanks for quick response and good news about updated valve body .
You are right, I don't have the drain plug in the TC.

 

Thanks! This worked on my car(1997E420-173Kmiles). The Sonnax spring comes with good instructions.

Dealer wanted 8K for new tranny, local mechanic wanted 4K for rebuild. Both places said that my tranny was for sure broken and needed to be replaced!!! I fixed it for $100. New Sonnax spring, pan gasket, tranny filter and 4 quarts of tranny fluid. Took about 3 hours to fix. The job is messy, so have a plastic pan to catch all the fluid that leaks out when you crack loose the pan bolts. The small screws that hold the pan on are torx/star key style, so are the small bolts on the inside plate. On a scale from 1 to 10, this job is about a 3. Changing your oil is about a 2 in my opinion.

The tranny shifts correctly and does not slip at all.

This site rocks:bowdown:!!

 

Great Forum, i was hoping someone could help me, i have a2000 clk430, build date 12/99, and i seem to be having this problem of the tranny sliping into 3rd. Since sonnax indicates 99 and earlier, i was wondering if someone could verify this relates to my tranny before taking it apart, i am mechanically inclined but dont want to open up the tranny for something unnecessary since i dont want to change the atf yet either (low miles)

 

As far as I know, if your tranny is 722.6 then you don't take whole tranny apart..you just lift up the car and open up the valve body case to replace spring which causing your tranny slips. Buy sonnax spring to replace broken spring and reuse your filter or oil to fill back. It only takes about half an hour job to complete and you don't waste anything more than time and less than 5 bucks of part..

 

thanks for the speedy reply, sorry about being vague but i was asking if I'm in the same position as Bansai with the 2000 model with updated valve body, because i am having the same slipping as described with this spring problem but i am wondering if it even pertains to me. Sonnax website indicates 1999 and later models only for this valve body but mine is 12/99 build date. thanks

 

Hi everyone

I have been reading lots of posts about 722.6 gearbox issues for a week now and i decided to ask some questions.
I replaced ATF and filter this summer. Shifts up and down was fine but after few miles got rough again.
My 2000 S320 that moment when it shifts up it seems that something is pushing whole car forwards and when it shifts down it sounds that someone hitting gearbox with hummer. I guess that i need to replace that pressure spring. Atf level is ok.
I haven't checked 13 pin plastic connector for leaks yet, but i will do that soon.
My question would be.
- What would be easiest way replacing pressure spring and 13 pin connector. Should i remove whole conductor plate and then change pressure spring and 13 pin connector, or just drop pan, undo bolts, replace spring, put everything back and replace 13 pin connector.
I will go for replacement any way. It is not expensive and it's only my time.

Any help appreciated.
Regards Saulius

 

Updated valve body in 1997 Tranny?

I have noticed some odd shifting on the car lately - seems like slipping in 3,4 and on the freeway noticable "bump" if coast (take foot off gas) then push on the gas. So thought - ahh - spring - lets change it.

Got the spring (actually ordered 2 since it's a $4 part) fluid (running amsoil..) and found this: rear passenger plate - 9 screws and the spring is approx 3" long and in tact (expecting 12 screws, 2" spring).

My tranny serial matches the build invoice for the car (Dec 1996), I have the TC drain, yet seems like updated valve body ( from the Sonnax install note for 68942-01:
"Note: Fits '99 & earlier 722.6 units
with 2 valves in the control pressure
regulator bore. Will not fit later units
with single valve line-up and 3.10”
long spring, body casting
#R1402773801"

1. Can my older tranny have an updated valve body?
2. What else can I look at for slipping?

thanks

 

I don't know about the slipping but I know about the bump/ thump.
To retifie it I did it all, changed:
engine mounts,
gearbox mounts,
propshaft central bearing,
prop donuts check,
the gear box spring,
and after all this it was actually the rear sub-frames front bushes gone...
then I replaced them too.
Olivier

 

Where can you purchase the spring for a '99 E430 Sport?

 

Sorry for asking, but who advised that you need a spring and why did they suggest that???

The part can be purchased from any MB dealer!!

 

I have a later-delivery 722.6 (March of 2000). I have problems when the trans. is cold, shifting from 2 to 3. When I say cold, I mean at outside temperature; I live in San Diego and the temp never goes lower than 45 or 50F at night in the winter... but any day of the year, it shifts hard if the trans. hasn't come up to temp.

Would this spring rectify this issue?

 

I live in San Diego and the temp never goes lower than 45 or 50F at night in the winter...

Not true. Depends on where you live.
My car has a layer of frost on the windshield (and all windows) overnight in winter. Outside temp according to the W210 is lower 30's.

 

I have a later-delivery 722.6 (March of 2000). I have problems when the trans. is cold, shifting from 2 to 3. When I say cold, I mean at outside temperature; I live in San Diego and the temp never goes lower than 45 or 50F at night in the winter... but any day of the year, it shifts hard if the trans. hasn't come up to temp.

Would this spring rectify this issue?

 

I had the partial ATF service and that alone made the car shift smoother before the engine came up to operating temperature. How many miles are on the fluid?

 

About 70% of the fluid has <500 miles on it. The remainder could have anywhere between 0 and 141000. The issue was around before I changed the fluid also.

 

If you have a drain on your torque converter I would replace all the ATF to see if that helps.