So, uh, the transmission broke in half....

Yes, you read that correctly. I was driving along in my Mercedes, when all of a sudden I realized that one of the transmission clutches was locking and unlocking as I drove along.

So, I pulled over to check the fluid (which had been fine a week earlier). I didnt actually check it, because I could literally hear the waterfall of fluid coming out from underneath the car.

Naturally, I was on my way to class with my girlfriend next to me at the time. I got back in the car, and drove to the shop that rebuilt the transmission (about a mile away) as quickly as I could. Luckily, I made it without slipping any more clutches. The rebuild is still under warranty, so I figured whatever it was, it was their problem now.

Long story short, the case is cracked almost all the way around. Obviously, not something they assembled incorrectly.

RIP Benz, it was fun. I think I learned my lesson.

What model/year was this??

1995 F150, snapped the bell housing in half. It had a beautiful ruby red waterfall underneath.

That's a new one. I've been around these old diesels for about 10 years and have never heard of anything like that. Maybe they over tightened some bolts and cracked the case during the rebuild.

Sounds like a pump got jammed on with an impact..... Usually from a clutch not splined on properly. BTDT.

Those full throttle gear drops will do it every time.

That sounds like a broken gear set to me. Warranty time for sure.

So... Does anybody want to buy an S-Class? Comes with a used transmission, and a rebuilt transmission with a cracked case, but is otherwise fine. Mix and match, and you'll have a fine car. A/C compressor has just been replaced and blows ice cold, cruise control, comfy seats, new tires, engine is strong, etc.

Make me an offer. Free delivery within 100 miles of 32174.

And no, there weren't any full-throttle gear drops.

Had a newly rebuilt trans do that to me, 4L60E. Covered under warranty, but I had it built on a bench and did the R/R myself. So I got some extra practice.

I like a Merc turbodiesel, I'll give yours some thought.

Do transfer cases count?

Got any pics Tommy? Wanna trade for a TDI??

Why did I post that? Don't post pics Tommy.

Ok, post pics.

GET OUTTA MY HEAD!!!!

But post pics.

Tom Suddard wrote: RIP Benz, it was a fun 13,000 miles. I think I learned my lesson.

What lesson did you learn? Sounds like you guys had a good time with the car. Or, I haven't kept up with everything needed to be fun.

In reply to Woody:

I was just thinking about pics of the 4R70W. I must find it now...

From Tommy's link above (http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/project-cars/1984-Mercedes-300sd/):

Tom Suddard wrote: Long story short, the case is cracked almost all the way around. Obviously, not something they assembled incorrectly.

Not necessarily. I can't imagine it happening any other way actually.

If the shop will replace the trans under warranty.. why get rid of the car? Cases do not break like that without reason.. and it sounds like somebody broke something when assembling it or it was dropped

I'm confused why you're getting rid of it without a functioning transmission if it's covered under warranty...?

Bryce

Yeah, I also want to know what lesson you learned.

Oh, and the lesson learned: Don't start with a $300 car. Start with a $3100 car that doesn't instantly need EVERYTHING:

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/oops-i-did-it-again/104225/page2/#post1859276

I sold the blue car to an enthusiast for a fair price, btw. In the end I came out okay on the car, but yeah it was stupid to start with such a worn out example.

I had some confusion and alarm for a minute until I noticed the dates and figured out this was the blue car that split the case!

i split the case in the transmission in my vintage 1992 model year Murray riding mower a couple of weeks ago... i was just cruising along, minding my own business and mowing my back yard when suddenly it just locked the rear wheels up... it wasn't the first time this had happened, so i wiggled the shifter like i did the last hundred times and i got it to move again... for about 20 feet.. then it locked up again and i couldn't move the shifter... so i looked under it and i could seen gears... walked back to where it did it the first time, and found a piece of the case... so i dragged it around to the front of the garage, pulled the motor off it (14HP Briggs opposed twin- good runner) and pushed the shell next to the garage... not an hour later my neighbor asked me if i wanted to scrap it, i said yes, and we pushed it onto a trailer and off it went... i owned that stupid mower for 12 years and had a grand total of about $300 into it once you factor in a couple of belts and a tire that i had put on it...

yes, i kept the scoop.

XLR99 wrote: I had some confusion and alarm for a minute until I noticed the dates and figured out this was the blue car that split the case!

Ya me too. Didn't realize there was two of them.