Superior Shift Correction kit - anybody tried one?
 

From the manufacturer:

"Superior Kit K722A-D. This valve body kit deals with these problems: Harsh 1-2 shift Soft or flare 2-3 shifts Slip or flare 2-3 (cold) Soft or flare 3-4 shifts Stacked 2-3 shifts"

Here is the website: http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?

It's basically a bunch of springs. I'm not a transmission expert and I'm not sure what they say when they talk of valve bodies, but my question to those who might know is: Is it likely that these springs could be replaced without opening the transmission up - similar to how the the K1 spring kit goes in? I'm willing to spring for the kit and be a test mule if it looks like something I can tackle in an afternoon without having to remove the transmission.

Could this be what we're all looking for??

Those springs/parts are all valve body parts, just like the "K1 kit", which also goes in the valve body. In fact, I bet the 2-3 flare correction in that kit is the same type of thing that the K1 kit is. Either way, they should all be easily accessible by dropping the pan.

I for one would be very interested to see if those springs improved the harsh 1-2 shift. I still have that because I didn't replace the B1 band with a softer one when I rebuilt. So, my trans shifts "like new", which includes the original teutonic version of proper shift - hard.:mad:

I went ahead and ordered the shift kit - about $50. Also, they had trans filters for $5.38 and gaskets for $2.78.

The guy I spoke to was very helpful and said the kit comes with directions. I should have it by the weekend and I'll report back with results.

Here's the full link for the diesel part:

http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=2&Product_Code=S68165D

Adam, are you listening???

Ah, this is the info I have been waiting for! It would seem that Superior has finally done what the US performance aftermarket has done for domestic automatics for years. Shift "kits" or "improvers" have been around a long time and the difference can be quite startling. Just about any US autotrans can be made to shift any way you want it to. Its about time someone produced a kit that offers some of the benefits for the MB crowd. Looking forward to the results Tenknots, please keep us posted. RT

Those kits have been available for a while...

My SD shifts fine as does the L, they have the later MB bands with less surface area (and I'd assume less aggressive material). If I had an early 722 I would have that Superior kit. I've used their stuff in the past with good luck.

I have to order a few kits of theirs for the BMWs as the 4HP22 loves to burn up the forward clutch pack after being shifted into D or R from P when first started. Weird and lame, but it's a simple fix. 4-6 hours on the garage floor, maybe two on a lift.

TransGo and Superior are the only kits I'd trust in any vehicle I own. The trucks both have TransGo built valve bodies (by yours truly). The overall shift quality is a vast difference in tie up, kick down, and normal day to day driving.

Ok, I installed the shift kit today (at least some of it). The kit has a couple of options - you can choose to firm up the 2-3 and 3-4 shifts medium or even firmer depending upon which spring or set of springs you install. I chose the firmer for both. I didn't use any of the parts made to soften the 1-2 shift, since it was already reasonable and I knew I could soften it with the modulator adjustment if I needed to. Other springs were designed to prevent rapid shifts, but I didn't use those either since I didn't have that problem. I also chose to do the work with the valve body inside the transmission since I didn't need to access the B1 area. I was able to use an offset slotted screwdriver to open the end caps (4 screws each) to remove the old springs (the filter had to be removed to do it, but I was replacing it anyway). To use the firmest settings, you completely discard the three springs and the plastic rod and fit a single spring in its place - it's obviously stronger. It took maybe a half hour longer than just replacing the filter/fluid and the instructions were adequate.

As for performance, I'll explain the "before" symtpoms. The 2-3 shift could never be accomplished without backing down on the pedal - the slipping was horrible. The 3-4 was similar and could not shift without lifting throttle.

The 2-3 shift is now exaactly as firm as the 1-2 shift and the 3-4 shift is almost as good! At any throttle setting, the 2-3 shift is crisp. The 3-4 is a bit mushy, but that may be because of internal wear. At full throttle (right at 75 mph!), the 3-4 shift barely slips. At very slow speeds, it can't be felt. At medium throttle application, it just feels a little mushy - a vast improvement over no shift at all!

I spend an hour or so getting the fluid level right and adjusting the modulator to give firmer shifts since even the 1-2 was a little too smooth (for an MB) and because it helped the 3-4 .

I can't help thinking that MB sells a K2 kit like the K1 (the Superior installation instructions call the 3-4 shift springs the K2). If anyone has a parts catalog that can look that up, I might try ordering one to install in Strider.

For $50, I'm happy as a clam (the filters and gaskets were very cheap from them too).

Cool....thats good info to know..and file away for future reference thanks for sharing it with everyone.

Talked to Sun Valley and they sent me another valve body. When its warmed up it shifts wonderful. When cold I still have problems. Going to switch over to synethic fluid which should help vs the no name 1.00 per quart crap I used for some reason.

note: I installed a Sun Valley rebuild last year and still had a harsh 1-2 shift. They have been great to deal with and very helpful on the phone while checking my vac. levels and when I was laying under the car swimming in ATF swaping the valve body and had questions. I would still recommend them if you are in the market for a rebuild.

Worked for me!
 

I too put in just the K1 and K2 springs from the kit, and it fixed the horrible 2-3 and 3-4 flare I was having. I tried the usual vacuum checks and adjustments, with very little improvement. The old main spring in the K2 was broken into 4 pieces! The old K1 springs looked ok, but I replaced the whole thing with one big spring from the kit. After installing two springs from this kit, a new filter, gasket, and 60 dollars worth of Mobile1 ATF, my transmission is now just about perfect. Total cost approx 125 bucks.:thumbsup:

That's on my list of things to do. I have an occasional 2-3 flare, not nearly enough to justify doing now but in 10k miles when its time to change the fluid again, I'll be installing the K1 spring kit.

Just ordered this kit, we'll see if fixes my 3-4 flare.

Will let my friend know. His '83 300CD tranny flares at 2-3 and 3-4 shifts.

Happy Motoring, Mark

No 1st gear along with flare
 

Has anyone lost 1st in drive mode? 722.315 trans and I get no 1st unless I pull it in manually, it will start in 2nd every time. The 1-2 is good when I go from 1 to S or D but then the 2-3 and the 3-4 flare like crazy. Shift points are good but the quality is horrible. I know that my vacuum is good as well as my modulator pressure. Governor pressure is good because my shift points are ok. This valve body kit may be what I need. 290k on the trans with good fluid and no slipping once the flare settles down.

I am experiencing the 2-3 flare (mainly when cold ) on my 1990 300D . I am contemplating ordering the kit mentioned from Bulkpart . I was wonder which springs other than the K1 could be installed without removing the valve body from the transmission . Could someone please post a link for the instructions for the kit or a link to them . -Thanks