Bowman cable on transmission linkage
 

Anyone have a good explaination on how to properly adjust the bowman cable to adjust the transmission linkage? I think I have finally got the vaccuum modulator set to the correct pressure and now I am ready to adjust the Bowman cable to adjust the linkage correctly. The shifting is still a bit off. It is on a 1986 190E

The stock adjustment is to set it to just where there's no play ( by turning the nut at the end of the cable). Some models also had a pointer on the linkage to help set the adjustment. On my old '85 190E 2.3 I adjusted a bit more because I preferred earlier downshifts.

Chris,
Just a little play on the end of the cable...:)

I just adjusted the cable until I got the shifting to occur at about 3500 RPM in the SDL. To make it shift at higher RPM loosen the cable for quicker shifts tighten it. There is no absolute on this adjustment, just do it by 'feel'

Sir Frank Bowden would take offense to your reference to the Bowman cable. Sounds similar though.