Playing with the Bowden cable

[Mismost]

It's a great day out here and I made a post office run in the MB. Before leaving the parking lot, I popped the hood and gave the Bowden cable about a turn to the left.

What a difference, it felt like a different car! The shifts were delayed but smooth, the engive revved higher and she was honking on down the road...it felt like it was a perfect match for this wagon's power curve.....but kinda too much of good thang!

Then I went 2 turns to the right, got softer results. One more turn to the right and it was mushy and flaring out. I wound up putting it back in the same posistion I started with....which seems to be good compromise between power, performance, and fuel economy.

It amazed me that JUST ONE TURN made such a big difference. I'm thinking you can "tune" your shift points to suit your driving style (mine is "old fart Sunday driver").

Originally Posted by Mismost

I'm thinking you can "tune" your shift points to suit your driving style...

Yup, I have mine set so I can pretty much control where it shifts with the "throttle." It took a couple of days of trial and error to get it where I like it.

[Biodiesel300TD]

When I bought my wagon the trans. shifted so hard it felt like the drive shaft was hitting the floor. The first thing that I fixed that really made a huge difference was when I adjusted the bowden cable. It was amazing. No more slamming. I was so happy. I probably gave it 2-3 full turns though. It was way out of wack.

[Brian Carlton]

I've got them all set to shift late. About three or four turns counter-clockwise.

I typically use only about 1/2 pedal and I prefer them to shift at about 2,000 rpm or more. The 3-4 is perfect at about 2800 rpm or so with moderate pedal.

The stock positions are too early unless you practice the pedal mash on most driving conditions.

[tarbe]

So Brian, are you saying you have the cable set tighter or looser than the manual says?

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by tarbe

So Brian, are you saying you have the cable set tighter or looser than the manual says?

For later shifts, you want to tighten it up.

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

For later shifts, you want to tighten it up.

I agree, I set mine tight enough that it will shift pretty late if I hold it a more than about half throttle, but I can force it to up-shift sooner by lifting off for a second or two. I basically manually shift with my foot.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by Craig

I basically manually shift with my foot.

Yep, I know where you're coming from with that. I do the same thing. I've got a four speed connected to my right foot. I shift it anytime I choose by just lifting ever so slightly.

[tarbe]

OK, thanks guys.