1995 E320 automatic transmission

[norcal1440]

A fews weeks before reverse stopped working.
The brake light came on and I had to put car
in neutral to start. So can a faulty neutral safety switch or
worn out shifter bushings cause you to not have reverse?
1995 E320 with a 722.369 automatic transmission
Previous owner had transmission rebuilt in 2010 it currently has 50,000 miles on the rebuilt. I'm sure transmission fluid has never been changed since rebuilt. Is there a chance changing the fluid would cure the problem or is the B3 friction plates gone in it.
Thanks

 

[gerryvz]

You need to make sure that your bushings are not worn out, so that things shift properly. But 99% of the time when you lose reverse gear, it means you need a transmission rebuild or replacement, there's no getting around it. Unfortunately a fluid and filter change won't cure a lost reverse gear.

Usually the loss of reverse is preceded for some time with a clicking noise upon engaging reverse, particularly when the transmission is cold.

Good luck !!

There's a HOW-TO here on the forum on how to remove the transmission from an E320 yourself, and get an exchange unit to install. Count on a $2K bill if you do the removal and replacement yourself; $3,500-4K if you have a shop do the work.

 

[norcal1440]

I finally had a chance to go under my 1995 E320 and take a closer look at the linkage.
The bushing at the transmission is totally gone metal to metal no sign of a bushing at all and the one at the shifter looks brittle. So I am hope by changing out with new bushings at both locations this will cure the no reverse problem. Do I need any special tools to change bushings? Is it quicker to just unbolt the linkage from transmission and replace bushings on a work bench? It looks pretty narrow at linkage and bushing at transmission. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I would think with that much play in the linkage it would cause a reverse problem. Transmission made no noise before and it was just all of a sudden no reverse and all forward gears work just fine and the transmission was rebuilt less than 50,000 miles ago.

 

[luckymike]

This is what I did. Not factory but a lot easier and completely effective. 3/8" fuel line cut to length.

 

[500Eboard]

There's a HOW-TO on bushing replacement. 10x easier if you get the pliers tool to do it but you can do with common hand tools -- I used to use pliers & a screwdriver.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[norcal1440]

Thanks for all the help. I am hopeful this will cure the reverse problem.
This is my first mercedes ever owned. I've worked on just about everything else over the years.
I just know it can't be any harder than replacing injectors on a 2002 Duramax diesel pickup.
Thanks again

 

[gerryvz]

The aforementioned HOW-TO is located here:

http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1188

http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7524

This is what I did. Not factory but a lot easier and completely effective. 3/8" fuel line cut to length.

The only problem I have with rubber hoses and the like as substitutes is that they are not nearly as hard and durable as the high-durometer (hard) polyurethane MB shift linkage bushings.

The parts are cheap enough, and replaced easily enough (with or without the special tool), that it's best just to use the factory part for this. Don't bother with aftermarket - as with all MB "soft" parts get the factory thing, and you won't have to worry about replacing them again for 3-5 years.

I have found that in the heat of Texas, the bushings seem to wear faster than they did when I lived in the milder climes of western Oregon, and require replacement every 2-3 years. They also get quite a bit of "exposure" to heat and the elements under the car, too.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[norcal1440]

Okay I bought the tool and it came today and with a new clip and bushing I replaced the front bushing that was completely gone. So as I move shifter from park to reverse I feel it engage and it starts to move but then it acts like its in park so I ever so slightly move shifter back and forth between park and reverse and it goes in reverse as I do this so I'm assuming that my linkage needs adjusting. I'm assuming it's entirely possible my problem with reverse was the missing bushing and it appears by the wear on linkage from metal on metal the person I bought the car from either had adjusted the linkage with no bushing and it finally reached a point where it would nolonger go in reverse and now with a new bushing the linkage is off. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[norcal1440]

1995 E320 adjusted linkage goes in reverse than sudden stop like I slammed on my brakes. Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[Revmark]

I so appreciate the detail you put into the transmission removal on 722.3 it was extremely helpful. I have a question, my son bought aa 95 E320 that the flex disc let go in the front and destroyed the shift linkage rod. Any ideas where I may source this out. I have tried the local MB dealership and they said it was no longer available through MB, I also tried local salvage yards but no luck, any ideas?

 

[gerryvz]

These are common cars at wrecking yards all over, so a shift rod should be easy to find. Perhaps a member here also has one they could sell you cheaply. I come across at least one E320 a month at the local Houston yards.

Also, call Robert Fenton at European Car Service in San Rafael, CA. He should have one from a used or dismantled car he could sell you. Monday-Friday 415-456-5151 business hours.