I know this is a common failure on the OM603 and other engines with plastic linkage sockets, but this happened to me in the 300D (OM617) with the metal socket. I was driving along a busy street yesterday evening, went to give the car some acceleration, and there was no response. I hit the flashers and was able to coast into a parking lot. I popped the hood and discovered that a linkage was disconnected. The linkage in question is the one that connects to the IP, MB calls it the "pushrod" in the FSM. It disconnected at the point where it connects to the rest of the linkages at the angle lever. I popped it back on and gave it a test push with the accelerator pedal to make sure it was ok before I left. It popped off again, so I reconnected it and tried again. After a few dozen vigorous presses on the accelerator pedal, I couldn't get it to disconnect again. I drove home with caution and did some more inspection today. A few people told me that over time, the metal clip inside the socket wears out and can cause this to happen, so I purchased a new socket. I inspected the old socket and the spring looks intact. However, the ball that it connects to on the angle lever has some play in it as I'm able to spin it around freely. I don't know if it's designed to spin or not.

Fortunately, I have another car to drive, but I want to get to the bottom to this. I cringe to think what might have happened if this failure occurred while I was trying to cross heavy traffic or do an evasive maneuver. Have any of my fellow 617 drivers had this to happen to them and what was your solution? I did a search but only found things about the OM60x family.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

That is the first I've heard of your issue.

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83 SD

84 CD

That is a good warning to people to check some of the small important wear parts of their cars.... sure could have been bad in some traffic situations....

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Since this problem hasn't been encountered by many forum members, I contacted Pierre Hedary this morning and gave him the run down. He told me that the ball on the angle lever is NOT supposed to spin like that. I am ordering a new angle lever first thing Monday. I'll keep you posted on the results.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

That could be ugly. It hasn't happened to me and this is about the first I've heard of such an incident.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

I've had several cars get rust in the socket, from cleaning the car really well, but not oiling them... the rust can bind the pivot, and damage it.
everybody remember to lube the pivot/sockets!!!

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Joe, sorry to hear of your incident. I was offline for a while and could not respond to you immediately.

The car is probably just asking for some attention (TLC) from its owner. How many miles does your 300D have?

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

MBeige, it's got over 410k miles on it. I ordered the new angle lever and it should be here tomorrow. (fingers crossed).

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.