W126 throttle floorboard connection repair

[JHZR2]

This is what I’m dealing with on my recently bought second 91 350SD w126.

The car is very new to me, there are signs of water entry into the two sides of the trunk and the driver carpet (only).

I think this failure is as much due to wet and salty shoes over time. The body is very solid, no signs of rust or moisture, and pretty sure it was generally kept in a garage.

The PO had a screw going through the pedal bottom, and used the floor mat to also keep it in place. Worked fine as far as I can tell, but I need to stabilize the floor and ensure that the throttle is safe.

Ultimate fix is surely to cut and weld new metal. In the meantime I’ll probably stabilize it by grinding the rust and sound deadening in the area, then applying POR patch which I’ve had good luck with. That may last the long run because these cars are hobbies and not DDs, won’t see salt if I can avoid it, and won’t see a ton of driving in the rain either.

But what about the little piece that holds the throttle pedal down to the floor? It’s gone. My understanding is that it’s a false floor. So just through bolting with stainless hardware to under the car won’t work.

Anyone else face this? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[t walgamuth]

nice looking 350. I had pone of those. The screw should work fine.

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

nice looking 350. I had pone of those. The screw should work fine.

The screw is loose though. It needs to either bolt into something, like a rivet nut, or through the floor, so essentially I can nut a nut on the underside. But my understanding is that this is a false floor and there’s another structural metal underneath.

[t walgamuth]

Not two floors that I know of. Take it out and go to ace and buy one fatter and shorter and screw it in and fuggitabouttit.

[JHZR2]

That would make life easier!