123 Auto box Transmission - problem/ATF change

[adrianb]

I've got an '85 230TE auto, with an occasionally clunky shift. There's also a slight growl/vibration at over 45mph - don't know if this is the autobox, but it doesn't feel like it's coming from the diff.
I'd guess that the ATF hasn't been changed for at least 60k miles, so want to do this myself and change the filter, hoping this will improve things.
I haven't been able to find anything much about changing the fluid, does anyone know the procedure, drain points etc?

 

[adrianb]

Changed ATF & Filter - more cluncky change

Just in case anyone can contribute on this one...
Changed the ATF and filter, by the book, and the change (up & down) is more clunky than before. I've heard that the vacuum system is involved with the auto gearbox in some way, and I have got a reluctant central locking system. - will lock only if you turn the key within a couple of seconds of switching off the engine. Is there anything I can do to check/adjust out the hard changes without a vacuum test meter? Or am I on the wrong track entirely.

Cheers

 

[adrianb]

Bingo!
OK, trawling around found the solution to this one. When cleaning around the auto box drain pan before removing, I must have dislodged a vacuum tube. The tube runs from just under the air filter box/next to the oil filter down along the upper N/S of the torque converter bell housing, and attaches to a round plastic thing on the gearbox housing N/S just above the gearbox drain pan.
Re attached the vacuum pipe, and the gearbox is changing up and down as sweet as anything.
This also fixed the low/rough idle
I'd be happy try and help with more info if anyone needs it....