Thanks for the info, Let me know if the new spring fixes your problem. I often thought that the flare problem was a weak spring since I am on my third trans fluid change.

The Mercedes pan magnet is not much more then the credit card style magnet with slots cut into it. My 92 Astro van came stock with a trans pan magnet and what I noticed is that most of the crud sticks to the magnet leaving the fluid looking like new.

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Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles