Mercedes-Benz - Automatic gearboxes - Torque Converters

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Tue 2 Jul 2013 07:44
Mercedes-Benz - Automatic gearboxes - Torque Converters - DavidBlaney1984
I've decided that I'm definitely going down the torque converter route with my next automatic rather than double clutches and electronic gizmos. Has anyone got any advice or details of their experiences with the best and worst out there? Do I stick with mercedes in house 7g/5g tronic, often highly recommended? Or what about the others, such as aisin/ZF/jatco/ford-mazda that make up the rest of the market?
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Tue 2 Jul 2013 08:52
Mercedes-Benz - Automatic gearboxes - Torque Converters - TeeCee

If it were me, I'd look at the vehicle manufacturer's recommended servicing.

If that says fluid change biannually or similar, fine. If, on the other hand, it has no service and is filled with snake oil that allegedly lasts the life[1] of the thing, avoid it.

[1] "Life" in this case has a great deal of "planned obsolescence" about it.

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Tue 2 Jul 2013 10:12
Mercedes-Benz - Automatic gearboxes - Torque Converters - madf

Lexus change fluid in autos every 60k miles iirc. Lots of very high mileage LS400s in US- 400k miles on original box.

BMW used to have sealed for life as did Jaguar. "Life" is c 100k miles or so.

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Tue 2 Jul 2013 15:54
Mercedes-Benz - Automatic gearboxes - Torque Converters - gordonbennet

My MB is 17 years now, have owned it since it was 6, its had 2 transmission oil changes in my ownership and no other gearbox work.

Box is as silky smooth and precise as when it left the factory

I'm another who wouldn't dream of leaving gearbox oil in for life auto or manual, though someone will be along in a moment to put us all right.

I have read that MB 7g gearboxes can suffer with software problems needing updates to cure jerky first/second changes and apparently oil changing is a very specialised job, needing to be pumped in under pressure, comes up regularly on the MB forums.

The 5 speed box if serviced correctly appears bomproof and indeed has been fitted since the middle 90's..if it aint broke don't fix it.

Wouldn't give you a thankyou for any of satans new fangled auto clutch thingies no matter how many clutches.

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Tue 2 Jul 2013 18:00
Mercedes-Benz - Automatic gearboxes - Torque Converters - cws

The 5speed boxes are no longer 'sealed for life' (what a stupid idea!), and MB recomend an initial ATF oil change at 37K. I've been told it's good practice to change the oil every 37K, which I've not long done on my '56 C Class. It's not a hard job to do with plenty of how-to guides on the MB forums BUT I wouldn't want to do it without the use of a ramp, as it would be more awkward laying under the car.

Everytime you change ATF fluid you also need to change the filter/sump pan gasket as well. Also good practice to change what is know as the pilot bush - this is a cylindrical plastic housing with 2 seals in place, through which the wiring in to the gearbox passes through. In some cases the seals can fail and ATF oil can get in to the wiring loom. Not as big a problem as it once was, but still something good practice to replace for piece of mind.

With fluid/filter/gasket/pilot bush, you're looking in the region of £110.

And finally, make sure you get either MB branded ATF oil or oil that meets the correct MB spec (made by Fuchs I think).

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