Throttle Bushing replacement 1984 300TD W123
 

I am a new owner of a 84 300TD. The throttle is excessively sluggish and I think it might be too much play in a dry rotted throttle bushing. At least that's what I think it is after poking around a bit under the hood and reading some posts on here.

My question is; how easy is it to replace that bushing? I was going to buy a new one from this site. I have never worked on a car like this before so I want to get an idea what I'm getting into.

Thanks!

Welcome to the Forum!!:cool:

Which one? The most common is the one on bell-crank mounted to the firewall. Then there is one on the top bracket on top of the valve cover and another one on the side bracket on the side of the valve cover.

The best/easiest way to check it, is to have someone get in the car and push the throttle while you look at the linkage. The one of the fire wall is pretty easy to check. If it wobbles around... It is shot. You can remove that one and look behind it. If the "skateboard wheel" is gone or falling apart... It's toast.

It's the one next to the firewall with the black rubber section. The rubber seems pretty shot and it has a good deal of twisting in it when the pedal is pressed. If I put the pedal to the floor, I can still push the throttle lever on the engine 15% or so. I'm not really sure what I'm looking at, but the rest of the linkage seems to be ok.

That comes with the skate board bushing, a couple of bolts.
Part #123 300 13 40.

Cool, I just ordered it. Do the linkage arm caps just sort of snap onto the ball joints? Forgive me if I butchered the terminology.

Yes, the ball and sockets just pop into and out of each other. Lubricate 'em when you re-install, any spray lube will work.
Mine has a cotter key at the top, pull it out to slide that part forward, then you should be able to access the two bolts.

Pay attention to how it comes apart, it can be put back in 180 degrees out, and your linkages won't line back up. Not a big deal, just have to redo it.

The throttle bushing is easy. Just a couple clips and a couple bolts and your done. Nothing too tricky about it.

They linkages pop off, clean them out and put some kind of lube in them and you'll be good to go for another many years. Make sure to check all the pivot points, then tend to wear out and you can loose some movement to odd twisting.

What kind of lube should I put on the pivots?

ATF works well for lubing up throttle linkages.
Engine oil could work too, but might be a bit thin. I've wondered about silicon spray, but don't do it nearly enough to give it more than a thought.

^Yeah, ATF is recommended by MB, but any spray lube will be fine.