Well the hard shifting comes from the engine revving so high and then finally shifting into gear. Yes, it feels like its missing gears... or a better way to describe it is like the turbo not kicking in (that lump of torque is gone and the engine just revs). Although I know thats not the case. Like I said, its sort of the same symptoms I had when the transmission cooler line got slashed and it dumped tranny fluid out of it, though now its still holding fluid.

I checked the kickdown switch under the pedal and it seems to be ok, that is its not stuck on. I've never had an issue with it before and its always worked. I hardly ever use it.

Second, I checked the Bowden cable. I moved the rubber-accordion-boot back and pulled on the cable and it is flexible but not broken. The engine does rattle around and shake so could that bolt that its hooked to maybe worked its way out a little bit? Should I tighten it or loosen it to cure my symptoms?

Any other ideas?

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1963 Ford F100 - Cummins Swap?
1985 Mercedes 300SD - 210K
1992 Ford Festiva - 92K
2001 Ninja 250 - 8K