I wrote a few times asking for any possible solutions to my transmission which has been shifting hard from 1st to 2nd, and down from 2nd to 1st.

Not to mention, an unrelated problem, of my rear head rests not going down when I pushed the button on the dash.

Different possible answers came in, then as if by devine intervention, my MB mechanic shop called to say they had a sale going on, so I made an appointment. I was sure it was a vac problem. They took my car, drove it, came back, put it up on a lift. He said he couldn't work on it while I waited, so I'd have to bring it back when I could drop it off, but he did say all the vac hoses were attached, and appeared fine.

I left the shop, and it only gave a partial clunk, ...and did it only once on the way home. It seemed to be much better.

I went back today for my appointment and asked him if he did anything to it while up on the rack. He said no, and I said he must have magical powers, because it was suddenly shifting much better. He said he did give it a "right foot tune-up" when he drove it around. He said (and I'm probably repeating this incorrectly) every once in a while you have to really blow out any carbon build up otherwise you're dumping all the unused vac onto the transmission. Every once in a while, just pop it in first, and wind it out, completely out, then do the same in 2nd.

Lo and behold, the car shifts much better now. He says he can adjust the clutches if need be if the problem persists. ALSO....my rear head rests are suddenly working again! They too work on vac.

Amazing.

1991 300d 189k