Check out these pictures - need I adjust the bowden cable?

[Jlaa]

Hi ---- I've been in search of slightly more responsive downshifting under part throttle conditions.

Yes, I know about the kick down switch at the bottom of the accelerator --- I drive up many long hills and sometimes I wish the trans would downshift a bit earlier. My goal is to ensure that the car is operating "within factory spec" --- I'm not trying to modify anything.

Does the bowden cable affect this, and is my bowden cable out-of-spec? I've attached two pictures that illustrates my query.

Thanks.

 

[nocfn]

Have you adjusted the vacuum modulator?

 

[Jlaa]

Have you adjusted the vacuum modulator?

I have not adjusted the vacuum modulator. I was under the assumption (perhaps wrong) that the modulator affects only the shift quality, which I find to be satisfactory?

 

[jhodg5ck]

Adjust the bowden cable to your liking....so, give her a few turns "out" putting more pre-tension on the linkage. Take her out for a spin. See if you like the level of aggression in regards to cable actuated kick down.

Modulator does effect shift Quality, ie smooth/butter or firm/crisp... If you do like a more aggressive kickdown I would also recomend a turn or two on the modulator valve...the two go hand in hand quite nicely IME.

jono

 

[nocfn]

Thats correct, the shift points are the cable...

 

[gsxr]

As already mentioned above... you can adjust part-throttle shift RPM by tweaking the control pressure (Bowden) cable adjustment.

The vacuum modulator affects shift firmness only, not shift RPM.

Both are trial & error adjustments until you find the sweet spot to your liking.

 

[Jlaa]

Wow! After a bit of trial and error, I settled on adjusting the nut by turning out 4.5 turns. You can compare these latest pictures of the "default resting position" from the first set up of pictures.

I can characterize the change (perhaps with a little hyperbole) as ---- the car drank some mid-afternoon espresso! The transmission seems to have woken up. I'm never complaining about the 4 speed 722.3 ever again. At part throttle, it seems to be holding gears a bit longer, and it will kick down to 3rd or 2nd much more readily with increased part-throttle throttle angles.

And .... okay, so now that the trans is willing to hold on to first gear a little longer at part throttle --- OK then, so THIS is what the first gear start valve body is really supposed to feel like!

I should have adjusted this cable a long time ago! Truly this is the best car in the world (again)....

I wonder where others' have set their bowden cable pointers...

 

[luckymike]

Jlaa, I'm a little confused. Are you turning the throttle cable? Isn't the bowden cable the one that goes down to the trans? What are you turning to adjust that?

 

[Jlaa]

Jlaa, I'm a little confused. Are you turning the throttle cable? Isn't the bowden cable the one that goes down to the trans? What are you turning to adjust that?

Yes. check out the first picture in the thread with the "Do I turn this?" This moves the throttle cable pointer RELATIVE to the bowden cable pointer --- because you want the two pointers to be approximately equal.

 

[jhodg5ck]

..now just a little more pressure via the modulator valve and you'll have a Very crisp, Very responsive 722.3. When ever peope call these transmissions slow or otherwise numb I can only assume theirs is not setup correctly.

....of particular note/frustration is how everyone describes the transmission in AMG's Hammer Widebody Coupe..I wish I could spend an hour with that car tweaking it...Oh Well....

Glad it worked out for you Sir!

Jono

 

[Jlaa]

..now just a little more pressure via the modulator valve and you'll have a Very crisp, Very responsive 722.3. When ever peope call these transmissions slow or otherwise numb I can only assume theirs is not setup correctly.

....of particular note/frustration is how everyone describes the transmission in AMG's Hammer Widebody Coupe..I wish I could spend an hour with that car tweaking it...Oh Well....

Glad it worked out for you Sir!

Jono

Thank you for the advice! I'll get to the modulator next. Is the trans in the AMG HWBC different than the trans in the AMG Hammer Wagon/Sedan?