What’s the latest on throttle linkage replacement?

I noticed this cracked ball end today. I know I’ve read that folks have pulled all metal ones from 616/617 cars to swap the plastic ends. But do the plastic ends still exist?

Are they all set up with right and left handed threads in opposing ends?

Are the threads and ball sizes on all of these the same?

EPC isn’t very helpful. It shows a bunch, most without part numbers and not enough detail…

Thanks!

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
2008 ML320 CDI (199k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)

I was having this trouble too trying to figure out which ones to get. Mine aren't broken, just lots of play. Eventually, I suppose I'll just order a few and try them.

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1990 300d 2.5 turbo
1995 E300d

Do the gas cars have a few? I guess they might have one going across to the Bowden cable? The gas cars are more likely to have lower miles.

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1990 300d 2.5 turbo
1995 E300d

Maybe the best route would be to buy used metal 616 ones on eBay.

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1990 300d 2.5 turbo
1995 E300d

I don’t even know if that’s necessary. There are metal ends available even as OE genuine parts. The question really is if that’s the best bet, and which have others actually bought and put into service.

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
2008 ML320 CDI (199k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)