

Time to replace the old vacuum modulator in the hope that it is the culprit causing hard shifts from 1-2 and 2-3. The modulator is at the back of the trans on the passenger side. It’s in a tight spot – crowded by the exhaust pipe (pink on the right side of the photo) which I’m not going to try and remove.

This is the view of the modulator from behind the rear cross member. The screw holding it in place is on the top side.

The only access to the screw holding the modulator in place is with a couple of extensions plus a wobble extension and a 1/2″ short socket.

Got ‘er out. Trans oil dripped out of the opening after I removed the modulator. It lost about a 1/2 cup of oil at most.

New vacuum modulator from Rock Auto. Much smaller than the original. I’ve primed and painted the modulator bracket and screw.

The new modulator being smaller allowed me to get my hand up enough to get the bracket screw started. It was then easy to tighten using my ratchet and extensions from behind the rear cross member. I put a bit of blue loctite on the screw.

All I needed to do then was cut the elbow off the new connecting hose and slip it in place.
Test drive as soon as I can to check it out 🙂