Kickdown linkage, does just what Mel said - I also hate it being there, and I ain't never seen one work right (cable setups are fine tho, if adjusted properly). On my old Chevy with the TH350 transmission I yanked the kickdown cable out, that truck has been in more off-the-light runs and freeway fly-bys than I can remember and I never felt the need for the kickdown. On my mud truck (429-C6 drivetrain) the kickdown was just getting in the way all the time, removed it from that one too, again never felt the need for it. basically if you're smart and downshift before you get on it hard then all is good.