Today I tried to change the vacuum shift modulator on my 84 300D. I saw it, but didn't have anywhere near the clearance I needed to get to the tiny allenhead bolts holding the modulator in. Does this require needing to lower the transmission to get to them, or is it a process of feeling but not being able to see what your operating on? I have a feeling that i'll eventually need to replace the transmission and engine mounts, but I am trying to take care of the shift_clunk taken care of before I pop something in the transmission.

I found out the PO took the accelerator rubber cover, and placed it behind the pedal. Dont know why, but its so so much quicker after I put the cover back on.

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Java Developer/Linux SysAdmin

Current:
*1984 300D ~200K,1989 MR2 250K, 2012 Ford Fusion 4.5K (fiance's car to replace the uber-unsafe cavalier)
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Past: 1998 Chevy Cavalier ,2005 Saab 9-3 2.0T, 1996 Mazda Protege, 1974 Porsche 914 2.0, 1997 Land Rover Discovery 4.0L/5Speed, 1995 Jeep Wrangler

Have you checked the vacuum levels going to the transmission? Inappropriate vacuum levels are a far more common cause of hard shifts than a bad modulator.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

the tube was plugged in, and going from the VCV to the modulator got a big ol' 0 on my metal mityvac. Solid 23 on the vacuum pump, and around 15 from the VCV point of view.

The new one I have in my hand holds vacuum, the one in the transmission doesn't seem to be holding any at all.

__________________
Java Developer/Linux SysAdmin

Current:
*1984 300D ~200K,1989 MR2 250K, 2012 Ford Fusion 4.5K (fiance's car to replace the uber-unsafe cavalier)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Past: 1998 Chevy Cavalier ,2005 Saab 9-3 2.0T, 1996 Mazda Protege, 1974 Porsche 914 2.0, 1997 Land Rover Discovery 4.0L/5Speed, 1995 Jeep Wrangler

For testing purposes, would you recommend a section of rubber hose from autozoo, or something like a hardline (dont know if the local places have that)

EDIT: It could be that the plastic tubing broke and I just cant see it.

__________________
Java Developer/Linux SysAdmin

Current:
*1984 300D ~200K,1989 MR2 250K, 2012 Ford Fusion 4.5K (fiance's car to replace the uber-unsafe cavalier)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Past: 1998 Chevy Cavalier ,2005 Saab 9-3 2.0T, 1996 Mazda Protege, 1974 Porsche 914 2.0, 1997 Land Rover Discovery 4.0L/5Speed, 1995 Jeep Wrangler

So is the transmission typically lowered enough to get the modulator out, or is this something done by feel only?

__________________
Java Developer/Linux SysAdmin

Current:
*1984 300D ~200K,1989 MR2 250K, 2012 Ford Fusion 4.5K (fiance's car to replace the uber-unsafe cavalier)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Past: 1998 Chevy Cavalier ,2005 Saab 9-3 2.0T, 1996 Mazda Protege, 1974 Porsche 914 2.0, 1997 Land Rover Discovery 4.0L/5Speed, 1995 Jeep Wrangler

Removing the transmission support brace and lowering the transmission is well worth the effort. If your transmission has a plastic modulator pin, you might want to have a new one on hand if time is of the essence. It's very likely that the old pin will break when you pull the modulator out.

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

Got a pin with the modulator. I just know this one works, and the one in the transmission isnt pulling any vacuum. I'm guessing once the support brace lets go, the transmission will fall to the ground unless something holds it up, correct?

__________________
Java Developer/Linux SysAdmin

Current:
*1984 300D ~200K,1989 MR2 250K, 2012 Ford Fusion 4.5K (fiance's car to replace the uber-unsafe cavalier)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Past: 1998 Chevy Cavalier ,2005 Saab 9-3 2.0T, 1996 Mazda Protege, 1974 Porsche 914 2.0, 1997 Land Rover Discovery 4.0L/5Speed, 1995 Jeep Wrangler

It won't fall that far, but you do need to support it with a jack until removing the support, then lower the transmission as required.

__________________
When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

Sounds simple enough.... This is a task that will be done once the rest of my order comes in from fastlane

__________________
Java Developer/Linux SysAdmin

Current:
*1984 300D ~200K,1989 MR2 250K, 2012 Ford Fusion 4.5K (fiance's car to replace the uber-unsafe cavalier)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Past: 1998 Chevy Cavalier ,2005 Saab 9-3 2.0T, 1996 Mazda Protege, 1974 Porsche 914 2.0, 1997 Land Rover Discovery 4.0L/5Speed, 1995 Jeep Wrangler