Transfer box trying to escape!!
My 300GTDI is auto and drives like a dream when cool take up of drive from slow or stationary is perfect.After an hours driving when all nice and warm it has a problem,from pulling away either from stationary or at very slow speed the transfer box tries to escape! the vibration just until the G is moving is incredible, the selector lever is on crack!! there is no other problem,no geabox or transfer box noise,drive is fine and once moving at reasonable speed its great.My question? Are the rubber mounts weak and get soft when warmed up or is it more serious.Any ideas or past experience?? :(
The first things to check are the Tbox mounts second is the Gbox mounts third is the short prop between them,in fact get underneath once and check the lot.
How old is it and where did you buy it from?
Is it not sorted now Bruce? :D
To Dan Its a 1997 I went over to Stuttgart to buy it,Bill NO ! its not sorted see my posting G.s for sale I cant get a bloody transfer box MB. germany are about as cooperative as Slobodan Milosevic.I am trying to find a source outside MB. :(
I was at me local MB dealer today and they didn't think there should be a problem getting a transfer case. Or don't you want to go through a UK dealer? A handbook for a 300TD in english is a problem though :lol:
This is through the local dealer Sytner in Northampton.They cannot get any info out of MB germany, the attitude is we dont have a transfer box available so you will just have to wait till we do.MB UK are not prepared to ruffle any German feathers so they just apologise for the 6 week period of "it might turn up next week"If its simple bits they are great ,3 days from Germany but anything like this is apparently a big issue. :(
Bruce. I have a direct plug to MB for military stuff, do you want me to ping someone.
Did you buy it from an MB dealer? If so you may have some rights. Also, are you a member of the club. I ask as I know some of the club members have contacts at MB in Germany and can bypass the monkies.
As to MB Germany, they seem as bad as MB uk.
Hope you get things sorted.
Yes I am, a member and hopefully someone is on the case.The guy I bought it from was not a main dealer and we didnt part on the best of terms anyway.I am confident that things will come right.
Bruce,
I think maybe we should go back to the start of your post. I honestly cannot and don't think, considering the symptoms you have described, that the transfer box is on it's way out. It is essentially a two-speed mechanical gearbox. The difference between hot and cold operation much rather suggests either mountings, as Bill mentioned above(try lifting/moving the transfer box with a crowbar in all directions) or a fault condition with the automatic transmission. Automatic transmission fluid changes properties considerably with a change in temperature.
If you then get a pulsating drive action from the auto box to the transfer box, it would show the symptoms you describe.
Replacing a transfer box is a major expense and I fear to add may well be in vain.
I would investigate extensively(get 4 different technicians' opinions) before spending any money on parts.
Good Luck!!!
Just thought of another option. Why not have someone slowly pull away when warm with the bonnet open and you stood/walking next to the vehicle and have a look what else is moving about. Remember: Symptom and cause are not always in the same place.
I have done all three Tbox mounts and the ones I removed were still good.I have also checked the main engine mounts they too seem ok.The problem is now there from cold and only seems present through the transfer box,there doesnt seem to be any problem ie vibration through the main transmission shift.I know I will be suicidal if it doesnt cure the problem but it seems the most probable cause.If its the auto box at least I will have a new drivetrain! :?:
Bruce
I am not an expert but, you may want to consider taking it to a good, possibly independent, Landrover specialist. It seems to me, and I would like to be corrected if I am wrong, that the system on your vehicle will be similar to that on a Disco or RR. Perhaps someone with expert knowledge of how fixed axle 4WDs work, albeit of a different type, will be able to help. I would have thought transfer boxes are all much of a muchness.
I’m no expert on this, however, for what it’s worth here are my observations from your description.
You have focused on the transfer box because the selector lever is the one that is jumping around. The transfer box is bolted solidly to the auto box and engine. They must therefore also be moving but because of the position of the transfer box at the end of the engine / transmission assembly its movement is amplified.
I think the clue must be in the severity changing in relation to temperature. As per mercfans post that must lead you to suspect the auto box.
Good luck I sympathise with your position. I have a low tolerance level for things like this and have ended up selling in the past.
Russ
Futher investigations and expert opinions come up with either clutch packs in the auto box or main diff unit in the transfer box.Either one is costly and although I dont like doing it if a new transfer box doesnt sort it at least I know its auto box so then I will need a good auto transmission specialist cos thats big boys stuff!
If you lock the centre diff. and the problem goes away would that exclude the diff. in the transfer box?
:D This might be a bit premature but what the hell! HOObloodyRAY :D I have finally spoken to a guy who I think has found the problem.The auto transmission is vacuum regulated and on the same circuit as the central locking and"headlight adjusters".What did I do to get it through its test?Change the headlights,disturb a pipe or tee union casing a leak perhaps? The central locking has been a bit odd but I didnt see a connection.Next port of call test the vacuums and servos.Oh and PRAY!!!The cause of a slight leak would be the vehicle trying to pull away in 2nd.
Looking at the history and problems with the 280 militry that was cured by reconecting a vacuum, you could be on the right track. Best of luck.
JOIN THE GWOA
This website and forum are provided for the benefit of enthusiasts and owners of all Mercedes Benz off road vehicles, in particular the G Wagen. The costs of development, upkeep and provision of the site are met entirely by the annual subscriptions of club members. If you are using the site and are not a member of the G Wagen Owners Association please consider joining. You will have access to areas on the site that are not open to non members, to club trips and meetings and to technical assistance. In addition your contribution (only £25 annually) will help us maintain and develop our website for future users.
Who's new
- Jaffa_JIM_23
- Wrabstar
- GG
- KTMSCANIA22
- 280ge
Done that and visually they seem fine,no sign of mountings breaking up and the props are good and tight.I just wondered if when warm the rubber might have degraded and got soft.