722.4 Shift Kit 1980, new and ready to install. Fits the 722.4. Ships fast from the USA.
If your gas-engine 190E, 260E, 300E 2.6 or early C220 bangs into second gear, then drifts lazily into third and fourth, the 722.4 valve body is the place to look. This is a Superior shift correction kit (reference S68165G) built for the gas versions of the Mercedes 722.3, 722.4 and 722.5. The "1980" in the title comes from the kit's 1980-up coverage; the 722.4 itself arrived a little later, in the early 1980s, so read that number as the start of the kit's family, not your car's model year.
The 722.4 is the smaller sibling of the 722.3 4G-Tronic: a fully hydraulic four-speed with no torque converter lockup and no shift solenoids. Shift timing comes from the governor and the throttle-linked control pressure cable, and shift feel comes from modulating pressure, which the vacuum modulator on the left side of the case sets from engine vacuum. When accumulators and valve springs tire, the box develops its signature split personality: a harsh 1-2 and soft, flaring upper shifts.
This kit replaces selected valve body springs and calibration parts so the 1-2 is cushioned while the 2-3 and 3-4 can be set to normal, firm or firmer. Full step-by-step instructions are included, and the kit is meant for gas engines only. Diesel 190D and 300D owners need the diesel version of this kit, not this one.
A shift kit corrects calibration. It will not fix worn hard parts. Grinding on coast or in reverse, or steel shavings in the pan, points to internal wear such as the K1 thrust bearing area, and that is a teardown job, not a valve body kit.
Start with the cheap adjustments. Mercedes service information for the 124 chassis ties early full-load upshifts and late downshifts on the 722.3, 722.4 and 722.5 to a control pressure cable that is out of adjustment, so set that cable first. Then put a gauge on the modulating pressure test port next to the modulator and check pressure in Drive; a modulator that is leaking or mis-set changes every shift. Check the vacuum line for cracks and confirm the kickdown solenoid is not stuck on. If shift quality is still wrong once those check out and the fluid is clean, the valve body calibration is the fix. Owners comparing this box with the electronic 5-speed that replaced it can see how differently that unit fails in our 722.6 E-Class shift problems guide.
The kit covers 722.3, 722.4 and 722.5 transmissions behind gasoline engines from 1980 on. On the 722.4 that typically means W201 190E models, smaller-engine W124 sedans and wagons, early W202 C-Class cars and some 1996 W210 E-Class cars. Mercedes ran both 722.3 and 722.4 in the W124 depending on engine, so confirm which unit you have from the transmission ID plate on the case. If you are unsure, send us your year and VIN before ordering. Every Mercedes part we carry for these units is grouped on our Mercedes 722 transmission parts page. If your car is 1996 or later with the 722.6, this hydraulic kit will not fit; look at the 722.6 shift kit instead.
If the friction plates are already glazed, do the kit during an overhaul with the 722.4 master rebuild kit so the new calibration is not fighting worn clutches. We also stock a second listing of this family of kits as the 722.4 shift kit.
| Fits | 722.4 1980 |
| Part type | Shift Kit |
| Condition | New |
| Brand | Superior |
| Reference | S68165G |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
No. 1980 is the start of the kit's coverage across the 722.3, 722.4 and 722.5 family on gas engines. The 722.4 itself came in the early 1980s and ran into the mid 1990s, and the kit is meant to cover that whole span.
No. This is the gas version. Diesel cars use different modulator calibration and need the diesel version of the shift correction kit.
Yes, that is the exact pattern it targets. Check the control pressure cable adjustment, the vacuum line and the modulating pressure first, since those cause the same complaints and cost nothing to correct.
The 4G-Tronic family uses a Dexron II or Dexron III type ATF, not the 236.14 fluid used in the later electronic 722.6. Use the fluid your owner's manual or fluid chart calls for and check the level hot, around 80 C.
Yes. The valve body comes out from below after the pan is removed, so the kit can go in during a valve body service. If the clutches are worn, install it during a rebuild instead.
