Automatic Transmission Ball Socket

[Klaus Pieper]

Hello,
I am having great difficulty in removing the lower ball socket on the automatic transmission, firstly because access through the transmission tunnel is tricky and secondly because the part to which the ball socket attaches has come loose from the gear box side and hence there is very little leverage space to remove the ball socket from this part. The ball socket, according to the parts book, has an internal securing clip.  Is there a special way to remove ball sockets with internal securing clips?
I would greatly appreciate your views.

[Cees Klumper]

Best I know is that the internal securing clip can only be 'overcome' with a bit of extra force, both going in and popping back out. If you can squirt some penetrating fluid in the connection, that could make all the difference. Probably dirt and corrosion affecting things.

[Benz Dr.]

The small wire clip must be removed before it will come apart. Almost no way you can pry it off without removing the clip.

[Cees Klumper]

I stand corrected, thanks Dan.

Is there a picture of what we're talking about? All I am familiair with in terms of 'internal retaining clips' are those one can't even reach when the joint is connected.

[Klaus Pieper]

Thank you all for your prompt replies.  I think Dan is correct that without removing the securing clip the ball socket can not be removed.  From my limited visibility, the securing clip wraps around the outside of the ball socket arm and then feeds through a very small hole into the ball socket cup - where it feeds to inside the socket cup I could not yet establish.  I will try and remove this clip without hopefully destroying it on Monday.  I will keep you posted.
Unfortunately I have not yet fathomed out how to load a photo on this wonderful forum.

[rwmastel]

Attached pic is on Android phone.  Below the white text box is a tiny "+" button next to "Attachments and other options".  Click the "+", browse to your image file, and select it.  There are some file format restrictions, size restrictions.  Max 4 attachments per message.

[Klaus Pieper]

Thanks Rodd,
with a lot of help from the family, here finally are the pictures. 

[BobH]

Hello Klaus, does this help?

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=11798.msg79394#msg79394

[Klaus Pieper]

Thank you very much BobH, that surely helps..  I am confident that I can now resolve the issue.

[Pawel66]

I think part number for the retaining clip may be A 113 268 00 73. It is not on the drawings, but it is in the parts list. It is more proforma as it may not be available most likely at Mercedes (availability not determined, ask dealer). But maybe it is better to know the part number than not to know it...

[Klaus Pieper]

Thank you Pawel.  My M-B Chassis and Body Spare Parts List shows the part no. as 071 805 008 400.  The part is available for order at Niemoeller.

[BobH]

Some pictures on here if they help you or others

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=37355.msg273232#msg273232

[Pawel66]

Thank you Pawel.  My M-B Chassis and Body Spare Parts List shows the part no. as 071 805 008 400.  The part is available for order at Niemoeller.

It is under DIN number there, that may offer some opportunities as it is a generic part. You are right, I was looking for it in a wrong place (shift lever linkage).

The alternative PN to N 071 805 008 400 is A 094 990 02 14, but also not available at Mercedes.

In case of trouble obtaining, if you google DIN 071805, it should yield some results.