I have 1-2 inches of pedal travel that is just play.

Ive noticed that the linkages at the ball joints are all kinda loose. If you wiggle them they shake about. Is this my problem?

The throttle cable is tight already, does it need to be tightened more?






Thanks in advance for any advice

gas pedal? Throttle cable? whats that/


You more or less have slop in the linkages. I would say adjust accordingly but their are certain tolerences the linkages have to be at.


Check behind the pedal for any slop in the mounting bolt as well as the linkage on the firewall

The "gas pedal" phrase didn't sit well with me but I couldn't think of a better term. "Diesel pedal" just doesn't sound right :p

Is my goal in the linkage adjustment to make all the links stiff and have no wiggle like they have now?

mine has some "wiggle" and I live. I do need to make sure it is going all the way ya know.

we call the "gas pedal" the Go Pedal here

back to the linkages

a search on the topic should bring something up. if not a 240D savy member will post something up. Ill check my haynes manual later and see if it has values for the linkages also for the 240D

Check against your firewall near the oil filter housing. You'll see a part of the linkage that has a large rubber attachment that other linkage slides into. Check for play there.

Scott

__________________
Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

I do not know all the years that have them. There are two rubber sleeves in the linkage to reduce vibration or noise transfer I suppose. 1983 240ds have them for sure but other years may not. Anyways they seem to rot off and dissapear. That gives lots of slop to the pedal and needless to say the injection pump cannot reach full throttle.
These are located quite away ahead of the firewall in a circular device. Available from mercedes at about .50 each and require two if missing. Part # 202-301-00-93 grommets throttle.
Without the part number you do not stand a chance but mercedes has them. Examine your linkage carefully to make sure they are not there first. You will see the slop if they are not. I would also add this problem is fairly common.