Kick-down

[markmark2]

Hi all, is it safe to drive the auto without the kick-down cable attached? Just cant seem to get the adjustment right. Have down every thread on the cable. Holds 2nd to long for my driving preferences. It drives quite nice without the cable attached. I know I will not be able to kick down but that doesn't concern me. Could it do any damage to the box? Maybe the cable has stretched? Cheers Mark

[greystag]

NO do not drive with cable disconnected.which box is it as they have different ways of attaching cable ? mine is zf 4 speed and follows throttle cable and drives great.
Terry

[milothedog]

Hi all, is it safe to drive the auto without the kick-down cable attached? Just cant seem to get the adjustment right. Have down every thread on the cable. Holds 2nd to long for my driving preferences. It drives quite nice without the cable attached. I know I will not be able to kick down but that doesn't concern me. Could it do any damage to the box? Maybe the cable has stretched? Cheers Mark

Ignore the last post, no harm will be caused to your Gearbox with the the Kickdown disconnected...........

[DJT]

Assuming you have a BW box then if the box changes fine with the cable disconnected, I would suggest it is too tight if it holds onto 2nd too long with it connected. Re-connect it, back off the adjustment fully, and try again. It should shift up into 3rd around 25mph on a light throttle.

[Jeff]

Ignore the last post, no harm will be caused to your Gearbox with the the Kickdown disconnected...........

Glad you are now back and can offer some long needed advice Ian.

not a qualified mechanic myself but even I know having no kick down cable will just do exactly that, no kick down to change down gear, no harm whatsoever, just use gearshift.

[markmark2]

Assuming you have a BW box then if the box changes fine with the cable disconnected, I would suggest it is too tight if it holds onto 2nd too long with it connected. Re-connect it, back off the adjustment fully, and try again. It should shift up into 3rd around 25mph on a light throttle.

Hi, Thanks to all for advice. It is BW35. When you say back off adj fully do you mean that all the thread will be showing or the opposite, no thread showing at the top? Thanks again. Mark

[DJT]

Slacken it right off Mark, so that the outer cable is tight up to the securing bracket. Most of the thread will be above the bracket and you will have less inner cable showing. There may be a small collar crimped to the inner cable. If there is, and the cable has been adjusted correctly before this was crimped, then there should be a small gap between the crimp and the outer cable. If no collar, or it is loose, then ignore it and find the adjustment that suits you.

[markmark2]

Slacken it right off Mark, so that the outer cable is tight up to the securing bracket. Most of the thread will be above the bracket and you will have less inner cable showing. There may be a small collar crimped to the inner cable. If there is, and the cable has been adjusted correctly before this was crimped, then there should be a small gap between the crimp and the outer cable. If no collar, or it is loose, then ignore it and find the adjustment that suits you.

Thanks again, there is no collar unfortunately. I am sure that i have done this before. If I do as you suggest, but still holds 2nd to long, and changes fine without cable connected, what would this suggest? Thanks for your patience. Mark

[milothedog]

If you find at maximum adjustment (slackening) that it still holds on to gears before changing up then carefully snip of the crimp to allow a little more slack, this was common practice when I worked in a main dealers (albeit Rootes) to get a little more life from a tired gearbox.

Ian.

[markmark2]

If you find at maximum adjustment (slackening) that it still holds on to gears before changing up then carefully snip of the crimp to allow a little more slack, this was common practice when I worked in a main dealers (albeit Rootes) to get a little more life from a tired gearbox.

Ian.

Hi Ian, sorry there isnt any crimp to cut off. Mark

[milothedog]

Hi Ian, sorry there isnt any crimp to cut off. Mark

Then just set it as slack as you need to until your happy with how it performs You shouldn't really get any kickdown until the throttle is nearly fully depressed.

Don't confuse it with a modern car, its a very basic hydraulic operated system dependent on road speed and throttle position..

[markmark2]

Then just set it as slack as you need to until your happy with how it performs You shouldn't really get any kickdown until the throttle is nearly fully depressed.

Don't confuse it with a modern car, its a very basic hydraulic operated system dependent on road speed and throttle position..

Thank you Ian for the advice. I looked in the rimmers catalogue and 2 brackets are listed. I assume one is for the 35 and the other for the 65. Maybe in a past life they were changed. Are you aware what the differences are? Cheers Mark

[MandM]

Then just set it as slack as you need to until your happy with how it performs You shouldn't really get any kickdown until the throttle is nearly fully depressed.

Don't confuse it with a modern car, its a very basic hydraulic operated system dependent on road speed and throttle position..

Glad to see you are back Ian, and willing to share your knowledge so freely thanks

[milothedog]

Mark, just adjust it until you find the happy medium. if it changes up and down reasonably smoothly then that's fine. Like I said you will cause no harm to the gear box by playing around with the kickdown adjustment.

[Stevekid1]

Mark, if you get really stuck there is an excellent auto gearbox shop in Hornchurch Road on the corner of Hylands Way. They have a workshop at the back. Couple of old boys been there for years and love classic cars and specialise in BW boxes. Had mine serviced there and new filter fitted and new fluid. they adjusted everything and the car has driven perfectly ever since. Cost me around £90. I couldn't believe the speed of the stag the first time it kicked down after they had fettled it.

Regards, Steve