When I did mine I used a pair of side cutters. You don't really cut the spring more like work it around until it breaks off. It has a sort of retainer that holds the springs in the accumulators. Hope that helps
I may have to do that next fluid change. I've just been using a dexIII. Typically whatever is cheap from my company's supplier. Thanks for the heads up.
Mine at time was all over the place at times, now it's super consistent. I have the same VB that you have. Those p/n should work for you. I can run out and measure the old piston is you'd like to try the Sonnax billet boost valve. Thanks again for your write-up. I'm glad I upgraded my transmission.
Sorry to bring this back from the dead but I wanted to thank you for doing this write-up, it was very helpful when I installed the reprogramming kit in my 98. I do have a bit of extra info though regarding the boost valve in the lower half of the valve body. After I installed my kit I was amazed...