Bicycle Mechanics - chain hitting the front Derail.

ok, as the title says the chain is hitting the FD when i go into the smallest cogs on any chainring. So i adjusted the screw to the fullest extent and the problem persists (although not as much). So as an experiment i tensioned the cable a little (with my hand) and the problem goes away completly. My question is should I permently retension the cable??

-Ross

Yes, just give it a tweak at the adjuster, on the shifter(MTB) or the downtube(road)

am i correct in saying where the cable attaches to the FD?

It might be best to do it at the FD by shifting into the smallest chainwheel and if the chain has a little clearance to the inside of the cage (~1mm or so) then the cable should have a little slack. Loosen the cable clamp and take up the slack. Look for the barrel adjuster first, as Rev Chuck suggests and screw it all the way in then back it out about 2 turns. Then tension the cable and tighten the clamp and see where it stands. Make sure the cable housings are fully seated in the shifter and on the frame. Cables tend to loosen with time and this has to be done now and then, especially when bike or cable set is new.
The adjuster then lets you fine tune things for awhile. Steve

Yes.