[W126 Coupe] Transmission Shift Question

[Dick Spellman]

Hi Rick:

Good points.  I was able to get the set-up specs for the transmission 
control cable from Sun Valley Transmission Rebuilder's website plus 
additional detail from Continental Imports site.  When I followed Sun 
Valley's spec it did change the shift points.  The 300SE has the white 
nylon adjustment vs. the metal slide that I see on the SEC.  The shift 
points are now a bit earlier.  Still have the awkward flare from 2-3 
when rolling away from a near stop.  I will go ahead and start moving 
the T on the modulator forward one click at a time to see if it helps 
firm up 2-3.  The response on all other shifts 1-2, 3-4 and at speed 2-3 
seem normal and the manual downshift at speed feels rapid and firm as 
well.  Worse case I'll end up with a hard shift from a few clicks 
forward on the T but, that will not hurt anything.

I'll let you know the results in a day or so.  It'll take that long to 
do this slowly.  By the way there is no difference in the set-up between 
the Euro and the US models!

Regards,
Dick

Richard Hesek wrote:

>   Dick,
>  There are a couple things you should check before spending $$ replacing
>parts.
> Fluid level and quality, control pressure cable adjustment and modulator
>pressure.
>  The slight flare you are getting between 2 and 3 indicates a high
>modulator pressure. Adjusting the modulator to reduce this pressure will
>firm up that shift. But the mod. pressure should be within spec.
>The downshift behavior you are getting is usually caused by an improperly
>adjusted control pressure cable. If you are coasting in drive @ 40mph, no
>throttle, and move the selector to 3, does the tranny smoothly go into 3
>without delay (< 1sec) ? Or, when sitting at idle, foot off the brake, when
>you move the selector to D or R, does it slip into those gears smoothly
>without delay (less than 1 sec) ?
>  I suspect my modulator is shot since I get a real firm shift at 2 to 3
>but I get proper downshifts since I know my control pressure cable
>adjustment is correct.
>
>There may be some differences in the Euro set up that I am not aware of.
>
>Rick Hesek
>