722.6 Sun Shell 1996, used and ready to install. Fits the 722.6. Ships fast from the USA.
This used, original Mercedes-Benz part is a 722.6 front planet kit with its driving shell: a three-pinion front carrier matched to a 50-tooth sun gear, for 722.6 five-speed automatics built from 1996 on. It is the piece rebuilders call the sun shell assembly, and it is what you need when a 722.6 comes apart with a cracked or worn shell, chewed spline teeth where the shell drives, or a front carrier with loose or pitted pinions. The 722.6 went into a long list of Mercedes cars and SUVs as well as Sprinter vans, so this listing serves both the C-, E- and ML-Class owner chasing a speed-related whine and the shop rebuilding a high-mileage van unit.
The 722.6 uses three planetary gearsets, three multi-disc clutches (K1, K2, K3), three multi-disc brakes (B1, B2, B3) and two freewheels to produce five forward gears, with fifth as an overdrive. The front gearset sits right behind the pump: its sun gear is driven by the K1 clutch drum, which also houses the F1 freewheel, and the front carrier and shell carry torque rearward to the rest of the gear train, with the rear internal ring gear snap-ringed into that shell. Because this transmission shifts clutch to clutch, and the front sun gear can be locked to the case through F1 or B1, the front carrier and shell take load on every launch and every shift. Worn pinion needles, a fatigued shell spline or a scored thrust surface here usually announce themselves as noise first, then as a ratio fault.
The more common 722.6 failures are electrical and hydraulic: conductor plate speed sensors, valve body bore wear and solenoid faults. A slipping early F1 sprag can also set ratio codes. Check those first using our 722.6 common problems and fixes guide.
Verify fluid level at the correct temperature, read stored codes and compare input and output speed in each gear. If ratio errors appear mainly in first and second while solenoid tests pass, and the pan holds steel debris, the front geartrain is a strong suspect. For drivability symptoms that point to pressure control instead, see our 722.6 pressure control solenoid symptoms guide.
The part is listed for 1996-up 722.6 transmissions. The 722.6 was used in C-, E-, S-, CL-, CLK-, SL-, ML- and G-Class Mercedes, Sprinter vans and several other brands that bought the unit. Mercedes built the 722.6 with different planetary ratios for smaller and larger engines and changed tooth counts and needle bearings over time, so not every front carrier interchanges. This kit has three pinions and a 50-tooth sun gear; count the pinions and sun teeth on your original and compare the shell splines before installing, or send us your year, model, engine and VIN. Later versions such as the 722.6 sun shell for 2002 and the full range are on our 722.6 and 722.9 parts page.
| Fits | 722.6 1996 |
| Part type | Sun Shell |
| Condition | Used |
| Brand | OEM |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
A used 722.6 front planet kit: the front carrier with three pinions, a 50-tooth sun gear and the driving shell, as described in the part listing and shown in the photo.
It is listed for 1996-up 722.6 units, which includes many Mercedes cars, SUVs and Sprinter vans. Because planetary ratios and tooth counts vary by engine and year, count the pinions and sun teeth on your original or send your VIN before ordering.
The 722.6 front gearset was not identical across every version. This kit has three pinions and a 50-tooth sun gear; if your original carrier or sun gear counts differently, it is not a match for your unit.
Thrust washers, needle bearings and bushings in the front gear train, all seals and gaskets, and the F1 sprag if it is the early black 16-element version.
Use an MB 236.14-approved ATF. The 722.6 has no factory dipstick, so check the level with the service dipstick at the specified temperature on level ground.
