W126 Transmission going bad???
 

Hello, I have a 1990 300SE with a little over 200K. On the 2-3 upshift there is a slight flair when driving "normal" under full throttle I do not think it has the flair. Any ideas about what could be the problem? Normal wear?

Has the trans been worked on before? If not, 200k miles is a lot of road to cover. Try and have your trans adjusted by a technician. If that doesn't help it's probably time for a rebuild.

never had any work done, just changing fluid and filter
It just seems to have a flair in cold weather 30F and below

What is a "flair"? Slippage? Hesitation?

My tranny seems to be o.k, but shifts hard. I think it is the drive shaft center bearing bushing. <see my other post re: 300TE driveshaft on alt.auto.mercedes>

I do know that the mechanic can easily adjust the vacuum (is that the right word?) required to produce a shift. As in, it will downshift quicker, or slower (require more foot in the gas to downshift).

As mentioned above you can probably make an improvement through some adjustments.

Basically, you need to shift sooner and/or harder. Lengthen the control pressure cable for the first, run the modulator in a turn for the second.

And yes, the problem is caused by wear. The actual condition is the result of either taking too long to fill the clutch pack (due to more space as the plates wear) or clutch piston seal leakage. Both delay the onset of the next gear.

adjustment
 

"Basically, you need to shift sooner and/or harder. Lengthen the control pressure cable for the first, run the modulator in a turn for the second."

I mentioned that my tranny was shifting a little "hard", and my mechanic did adjustment #1.

I didn't know it was possible to do adjustment #2.

I will see if my mechanic can reverse adjustment #1 and instead do the adjustment #2 to try to ease the "harshness" of the shift.

Tranny Flair
 

Mine was flairing recently, warm or cold, I changed the filter and fluid at 205,000 and no more flairing, it shifts firm as I think it should be.

Thanks for your help guys,
I am going to try to change the fluid/filter first. If that doesn't do anything I will try to adjust the control pressure cable (I think in GM terms that is the TV cable). I always liked the way the MB trans shifted, firm but not harsh.
Thanks,
Dan