It's easy! And messy! You'll need a big socket, a wrench for that, a basic metric socket set, and a couple small allen sockets. If changing your oil is a no-brainer for you then you'll think this isn't too bad.

Remember ALWAYS that everything must be operating-room-clean. On our cars there is a tranny pan drain plug (hallelujah!), and a torque converter drain plug. The tc drain is viewed through a cutout facing the back of the car. You stick a socket (24mm?) and wrench on the crank bolt on the front of the engine. place a mirror so that while turning the engine to find the drain you can see the cutout of the tc drain. I needed a flashlight as well. Drain the fluids, remove the 10 or so bolts holding the pan to the tranny, and use MB filter and gasket. The gasket is rubber, btw, and makes things much easier. Replace the pan and drain plugs. Fill the tranny with the right fluid (some use synthetic and raise tranny pressure, some use conventional). Our tranny's are VERY sensitive to fluid level. Apparantly the difference between min and max is about half a coke can. Drive the car a couple miles, let everything heat up and check level on a level surface with engine running. Adjust fluid level. I drive progressivly longer distances until the fluid is right and the tranny feels right. Obviously, if the tranny acts weird right away stop and check levels immediately.

 

I don't know which Mercedes transmission you have there but my pan has only 6 bolts holding it up. It's not too messy as long as you don't mind getting a little fluid on your hands. AND FWIW, DON'T crank down on those pan blots, you'll split the gasket in a New York minute (ask me how I know)

 

Bolt on crankshaft is 27mm.

 

Do not use ANY gasket seal goo at all!! It will leak out ofthe new gasket if you do. Make sure you do not put any lint inside the valve body.
Another point... If the tranny is operating fine now. DO NOT FLUSH IT!!! just drain, replace filter and refill.
By the way, the difference between min and max marks on the stick is .3 liters.

 

What kind of fluid is used? Mercon III?

 

I found the answer is to use actual Mercedes Benz fluid, the Mercedes Transmission is not like other transmissions, it needs what it needs.

 

A good ATF fluid is all you need.
When you have the tranny drained, and filter removed, turn till the torque converter drain points down, and drain.
Put everything together, fill a bit under capacity, drive car for 20 min, park on level surface, and fill to max. Caution: The amount of fluid to bring the level from min to max is only a fraction of a liter.
Its unlike the quantity of motor oil min to max difference.
Most people will over fill (I did at first), and removed excess fluid with on of those hose with squeeze bladder thingies (avoid the cheapo).

The forum archive has a wealth of information available at your finger tips.
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Cheers

 

Level sensitive? ooops

very respectable friends, i just bought wdb1260451a606492 , drove it home some 500km, and suddenly it "hesitates" on first to second gear shift, when i push the go pedal briskly.

if i try to pass another vehicle by heavy accelerating it does the same.

it works perfectly smooth in every other condition and shifts are beautifull.

i changed oil and filter was so "polluted" by a kind of sediments, actually the filter was very heavy, i suppose for more more dirt.

please forgive me for this writing, but i CANT FIND THE WAY TO POST!,,,please excuse me.:surrender::bowdown::thumbsup:

 

Where can I buy Mercesdes Benz transmission fuild for the 91 560sel? Thanks. Also, what is the best website to buy MB parts at? New w126 owner here.

 

The transmission on the w126 cars uses regular Dexron/Mercon 3 fluid, usually sold as DM3 at your local auto parts store.

As to places to buy parts, many around but autohausaz.com for many of the little bits, just make sure to consider what brand of part you are looking at buying. Some are not as good as others.

 

The only other thing I will add is, Cleanliness'
Put down a plastic sheet on the floor and close garage doors if you can. You don't want any dust and grit blowing up under while the valve body is exposed.

I have 2 AB pans and prepare one, spotlessly clean with gasket installed and do the; remove pan and filter, replace pan and filter all at once to limit the time the insides are exposed.

 

Thank you Hey Allen

 

The documentation I found said our transmissions should be using Dexron II. Because that standard is now obsolete I decided to use a fluid that's still being held to an active standard... Mobil 1 Delvac ATF.

Here's why I picked it:

Former Transmission Fluids Engineer (Allison Transmission) - General RV Information - Escapees Discussion Forum

Cost is about $100 in fluid, but you should be able to extend the factory 20,000 mile change a bit

-J