At 08:19 PM 5/24/2014, TJ Hemrick wrote:
>Any tips on a good way to adjust the length of the rod for the accelerator
>cable to the throttle linkage on an automatic?

When I did this a few years ago I found that holding the spring
compressed (with slip-joint pliers?) far enough and for long enough
to put the clip in was both physically and spiritually
challenging.  It didn't help that it was February in New
England.  This is what Dennis has to say about the "J" clip:

>3mm or 3/16 will work. The original clip is of a concave self-locking
>design. 2 3/16 clips will fit in the groove to help back up the spring
>tension.
>
>Dennis

What I did on the spot, though, was to dig up a piece of thickish
brass wire (twice or thrice the thickness of the slot, maybe) and
wind it in a rod-size circle then cut it so the ring thus formed had
a bit of an opening.  I slipped this over the rod to the slot and
then used Vise Grips with sharp-ended jaws to grab the ring at about
7:15 and 10:45 centered on the gap; and squeeze hard so the ring
would be pulled tight and forced into the slot to some extent.  I
worked it pretty hard and ended up with a distinct ridge on the
inside circumference.

I then spread it just enough to remove, installed spring and washer,
compressed the heck out of it and put the ring in place, and then
squeezed it hard exactly as before.  It's been there since.

Yours,
David