I figured out that I was not adjusting it correctly. I don't know how to explain it other than it had to do with the position of the lever while I adjusted the spring. The spring isn't compressed very much. I might need to tweek it a little more. Do you think I should try anything at the modulator yet?

No. That would be the worst thing you can do. Voice of experience.

Try adjusting the VCV properly, as described in the DIY I posted the link to at the start of the thread.

The DIY explains. Please go back and re-read.

Transmission flaring or clunking? VCV DIY - Mercedes-Benz Forum

You should feel a difference in the resistance from the spring after you adjust it.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Hopefully I'll have time tomorrow. Got a lot to get done tomorrow before work on Monday. Do you think the spring is not tight enough? But probably don't need to turn the spring much at a time.

The one I adjusted came off my old '83 240d (the original one on my wagon was non-adjustable).

The 240d always wound up too high before shifting, but I wasn't on this forum back then so did not know how to address it.

When I adjusted that VCV I put somewhere between 3-5 turns CW into it. The difference in the wagon's shifting, when I installed the adjusted VCV, was just about night and day.

You should be able to feel resistance from the spring. If you don't then the valve won't work properly.

Put in one turn CW and see how it feels.

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Stacking shifts does mean shifting from one gear to the next almost immediately? If so my car isn't doing that now. It shifts through all 4 gears. The motor just winds out to high elms before it will shift.

Yes that is what stacking means.

If you put another turn into the VCV I wager you will notice a difference.

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

It took a lot of fiddling but the trans now shifts pretty much like it should. Is there any fine tuning that can be done at the modulator or should I just leave it alone? Also the plastic keeper that keeps the rod attached to the VCV broke off. Anyone know if this is available or have another way of keeping it in place?