This fell off the gear linkage of my MCS today...?

[cupofjavaa]

Hi guys,

Just as i arrived home the gears began to jam up and then i heard a bit of a 'clink' - opened the bonnet to find this hanging off the gear linkage. The gears had been jamming (im guessing) as the clip was getting stuck, and then the clink was it finally coming off. I cant really see the importance of the clip, other than that it seems to be some sort of protector on the linkage maybe? Can it be forced back on somehow, or even left off? it looks pretty much intact, I just cant figure out how or why its come off!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6v7snxzs2i...220_225101.jpg

clip hanging off the gearbox linkage cable..

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9r76pmdpps...Untitled-1.jpg

[Dermottdog]

The clip holds two parts together. It's not there to protect. I've seen this sort of clip holding cables and mechanical linkages. The clip needs to be squeezed into place with pliers or grips.