300SD TC Spitting bolts

I recently had an odd occurance with my 82'300SD. The car was running great when I bought it from my dad. About two months after having the car I noticed a sluggish transition from 3 to 4 in the tranny, only when cold. After the car warmed up it was fine. About a week later I noticed a little bit of a racket coming from under the car, around the bell housing area, and some leakage. The noise continued to get worse, along with the leak. I parked the car for about a month and just now had time to get into it. When I was putting the car on ramps the rattling noise became unbearably loud. After removing the front inspection/access cover two TC bolts came out, not sheared off, they had just backed out. Now I'm assuming this would explain the racket, as well as the leak(The loosened TC probably fragged the front seal, and pump). I'm also wondering if chunking TC Bolts is common, and if the vibrations could have caused the shifting problems.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Peter K

[Benzmac]

The only weir things I have seen commonly is the flex plate that the bolts mout to will, sometimes crack. This could be the cause of the bolts falling out. If you put bolts in that are too long, you will ruin the TC. Be careful and just use blue loc-tight when going back together.

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Benzmac:
1981 280GE SWB
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
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