E420 transmission r&r

[a2alpine]

Well the transmission suddenly let go in my E420 that I daily. I plan on going with a sun valley rebuild, my main question I have is if it’s an engine out repair. I’d like to avoid pulling the engine if possible. Anything else I should do a the same time? External transmission cooler perhaps? I tend to drive my cars hard if that helps.

Thanks,
Geoff

 

[gerryvz]

No. You can remove the transmission without removing the engine. Although the bolt pattern on the bell housing is different, and the mounting system is different on the V-8 cars as opposed to the 6-cylinder cars, the general process is & principles for removing the transmission are the same. The top-most bolts are slighly difficult to get to, but can be done without too much difficulty.

Here's the thread on the 6-cylinder removal and installation of a Sun Valley transmission.

HOW-TO: Removing & Replacing 722.3 transmission (W124/M104) | "HOW-TO" Tutorial Articles

Well, as I'd mentioned on another thread, last Sunday my wife's 1995 E320 wagon transmission died, with 203,200 miles on the odometer. It died suddenly, losing all four forward gears. Reverse worked fine. This is the classic 722.3 "B2 piston failure" that is very common to the 722.3...

www.500eboard.co

I don't think you need to install an external transmission cooler. You already have a transmission oil cooler as part of your radiator -- do you really need a second transmission oil cooler? I'm sure you're probably just fine.

 

[emerydc8]

I would consider ordering a new transmission tunnel blanket depending on how the old one looks. Insulation - (124-682-45-01) | Get Mercedes Parts

 

[a2alpine]

That’s great news on the engine being able to say in, I’m used to Audi/vw where it’s engine out for any of the v8 cars basically. As for the oil cooler, I tend to beat on cars pretty hard but if that’s not a weak point i’ll leave it alone. And I’ll take a look at the blanket.

 

[gsxr]

Top Gear Top Tip: For the hard-to access top bolts, you can remove the throttle linkage at the back of the intake manifold, along with the plastic firewall center pieces. This allows good access to those 2 bolts from above. No need to use super long extensions from below with swivel joints.

Sadly, the trans tunnel insulation is NLA. Any place showing it available to order, the order will be cancelled.

 

[a2alpine]

Awesome, and that sucks about the blanket. I’ve got a parts car too, so maybe it’ll be in okay shape.