Bill Ball

I had my tranny out to fix a leak in the torque converter seal. I could have done that myself, but since I had the tranny all the way out on the floor and it had 240K miles on it, I figured this is a good time to have it rebuilt. Right? Even though it was working fine, I didn't plan on taking it out again, so sure. Found a factory trained MB mechanic who appeared very familiar with the MB trannies and had done one for another 928er. Nice guy and everything. 6 weeks later I had my tranny back. He replaced the seals, B3 piston, K1 clutch pack.

Well, the good news is it doesn't leak anymore. [LATE EDIT: WRONG! I went out this morning to find a puddle under the torque converter - IT'S LEAKING!] The bad news is that it makes a metal-to-metal rub-rub sound all the time. Sounds to me like a seized bushing behind the torque converter - the one you are supposed to lube during assembly or it will seize, but I'm not sure if that applies to 89 as the primary pump bushing was replaced by a bearing at some point prior to 89. Anyway, I'm not sure what it is but it's nasty sounding. And it whistles loudly in D. What the Hell?

Also, according to the bill he installed an 88 B3 piston. According to PET the piston and springs changed for 89. He gave me 4 or 5 possible explanations. Certainly it could be some early 89s had the 88 part, although that wasn't one of his explanations.

I had a helluva time getting this thing out and back in on my 4 post lift. it's far easier on a 2-post or even on the ground. It took me days to get it back in. I don't ever want to do this again.

So, all of the sudden I feel like Sterling. Seriously. I don't think I can go though another 6 weeks w/o the car. I depend on it, especially during the winter when it's too cold and wet to ride a motorcycle, at least not every day out here in CA.

I'd pop a used tranny in, but I think 928Intl sold their last used 89 for this Xmas sale.

Suggestions?

soupcan

Speedtoys

I wonder..how fast could Greg get er done?

Im gone next week in LA getting my trans swapped, but..if there was ever a time for norcal to gather and work on YOUR car, this is it.

What's it weigh out of the car?

Then it has to get to Greg..and back..

Bill Ball

Yeah, my dog got my coke too.

Jeff, I'll think about that. Frankly I don't have that much money to spend on this. I'm going broke with a landscaping and home remodel project that has gone out of control. I may just take the tranny out and do it myself like I should have in the first place. Why pay somebody else to do it wrong when I can do it wrong a lot cheaper myself?

blown 87

Now that is funny.

robot808

That is funny, but Bill, this must of come with done sort of warranty, no?

Bill Ball

Warranty.

If the car is driveable I will take it up and have the guy listen to it. He seemed like a decent, honest guy, although I wasn't real impressed by his explanations for the 88 B3 piston.

robot808

Perhaps he just didn't realize he was talking to Bill Ball.

Spun

Let him drive it and then see what he thinks. I hope he helps you R&R it this time.

Sorry

namasgt

Is all the 8 quarts of fluid in there? Sorry to hear this, I wish I was there.
It will make a loud kind of whistle sound (more of a wining sound really) with shifter on D, when the fluid level has been reduced. I think the sound comes from the oil pump when oil and air get mixed. Your situation is different tough, since someone has taken it apart and put it back together.

Why was the B3 piston replaced?
Ans what about the K1 pack clutch, did the old ones look bad?

safulop

Sorry about your transmission Bill, but I'm still stuck on the first part of the post. These things can go 240K miles without rebuilding? That's sure good news for my car, it has something over 140K on it now.

-Sean

Nicole

Oh man - I'm so sorry to hear this, after all the wait and effort you put into it! I'm not sure what I can offer to help at this point - but if you decide to have a wrenching party for removing and another one for reinstalling the transmission, I will make sure they are well fed. (yes, George, I will bring "man food")

Jim Devine

Several of the better European shops in my area
(Sacramento) send their transmissions to this
shop, located in Burlingame.

http://www.peterschmidtransmission.com/commitment.asp

They have a trans dyno & test every trans + a 2 year unltd milage warranty.

Might be worth a call to them- that's all they do is
MBZ & ZF transmissions. Hope this helps.

danglerb

Give the guy a chance to make it right. I don't think I would drive it at all though.

Leon Speed

Bill, that sucks, sorry. I'm sure that I can't offer an very experience 928 wrench like you any wise words, but I do not this: nobody is going to care more for your car than you.