Did you change the transmission conductor plate when you did this? Other folks did that to solve similar issues.

 

Yes also the conductor plate. pretty sure it was that valve though.

 

So what made you change the parts you did? I hadn't heard anyone else change them out to resolve this issue.

 

I ended up installing these Sonnax parts in mine:

Master Overlap Valve Sleeve Kit - 68942-05K - Sonnax

Video:

I had forgotten that the TCC Damper Valve and Sleeve Kit was available for this transmission and didn't require special tooling to install. Thanks to the OP for reminding me. Here is the part link for others:

TCC Damper Valve & Sleeve Kit - 68942-23K - Sonnax



Maybe in the future I will purchase this part and when convenient( at next transmission fluid change) install it. Just wanted to mention that a low value(20-200 inch lbs) torque wrench WILL be needed for removing and re-installing the side plates. Torque on these should be 35 in lbs. I have operating experience when I did mine that you need to be aware of so you don't make the same mistake. The torque wrench I was using(harbor freight) worked some of the time and wasn't accurate at other times. It didn't click when it was supposed to and I almost stripped out a screw in the soft aluminum valve body. Thank goodness I stopped before it got too far. Again, a good quality tool that has been pre-conditioned(used a few times with a fastener in the vice) will help keep you out of trouble. You will also need to have a new adapter plug available since it needs to come out before you can remove the valve body. 7mm socket(9/32 socket will also work according to ATSG service manual) will be needed to remove it.

 

Josh, what kind of symptoms did your tranny have that you did that work?

Boardboy...I have spent the last 6 months researching the clutch lock up symptoms. I read up on it in sonnax's website and figured I'd give it a shot.

I had no luck when posting symptoms here and or mbworld. Either my symptoms were not very common or nobody has used the sonnax parts before.

 

Members have used them. It is not common and our search feature really sucks.

Josh used Sonnax for the overlap rebuilds as did I. My mechanic has done the torque converter fix on a few MBs and several Porsche models.

 

Interesting info. I thought my issues were caused by the conductor plate. Guess I need to look into this.

 

Boardboy...what are you symptoms

 

2004 e320. Similar issue. Rough lockup of the torque converter under light throttle when the car is cold. I have a tcc solenoid on the way. Is it worth it to spend the extra money to get a valve body rebuild kit while I have the valve body off the car?

 

For some great valve body cut-away demo for Sonnax, Transgo and Superior there is a great YouTube video of a VoTech instructor. I highly recommend SIU Automotive Mercedes 722.6 Chrysler NAG improvements. He demonstrates 3 different options for new valve replacement in valve body. Any of these kits essentially refresh the valve body so that fluid pressures are as designed. Sean presents how each of the 3 kits tackled known issues (If you are familiar with project farm, this is similar without using test of time; which isn't necessary for the topic).

While going over how each of the 3 aftermarket shift kits work, he is very concise and precise in his presentation. There is discussion while demonstrating how each kit works. Also, a slideshow on how the fluid and pressures work or fail. IF YOU HAVE TC SHUDDER ... The last couple of minutes he spends talking about what not to do and why (which is a false sense of a fix others have posted around the web).

I have never been inside a tranny, aside from filter and fluid change. After watching several videos, i better have a better understanding of what to expect and confidence to open up the valve body. In the description you can find other pertinent videos. The transmission overhaul includes the valve body about 1:07:00 into video. Because this video is so long, you may want to fast forward thru sections like pressure tests. However, there is good info at end such torque for bolts when putting valvebody back together, testing solenoids with ohm meter as well as using air pressure with a 9v battery to open close.

I will post after I get my valve body fitted with a TransGo kit. T.C. solenoid will also get replaced since i occasionally feel a weird bump as I gently accelerate out of alley when below 55°f. I bought an '08 with 94k and guessing the fluid was never changed. I want to open the valve body to clean it. Past experience is any debris ultimately causes failure in these transmissions.