I have a '72 142E with a BW35. In second gear between 25mph and 35mph and in third gear between 50mph and 60mph the car shudders hard. This shaking is even more pronounced under hard acceleration. However outside those speeds the car does not shudder. This problem has continued in spite of replacing the ATF. Because the car runs smooth and the problem is not felt outside those speeds I believe that the problem is the transmission, is this a safe assumption? Given the symptoms should I replace the transmission or just the torque converter? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Colin Spikes

It's probably not the tranny, probably the center bearing, center bearing support, or u-joint. How to tell?
If the tranny shifts correctly, and doesn't slip or leak, it's probably as okay as a BW35 gets.
When you take out the driveshaft the problem will probably become apparent.
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MPergiel, Elmhurst, IL '74 145e T-5 'Orange Alert'

I think I found the problem, front u-joint was nearly frozen in on place. thanks again guys.

thanks a lot, I'll pull the drive line apart and take a look at it. well that is a bit of a relief. I thought it would be unusual for the tranny to fail after only 143k especially since I make sure to change the fluids in it every year. thanks again.

Colin

I've had a couple of BW35's go out, but they never shuddered. They just started slipping in first gear and slurring the shifts mightily.
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I'm JohnMc, and I approved this message.