One of the ball and socket accelerator linkages in the engine compartment needs to be replaced, you can see the ball and socket piece that was glued together with the red arrow pointed to it.

Are the linkages just metal pieces that connect to a separate ball and socket that joins pieces together, or probably more likely a fixed length of a metal piece made for that area with the ball and socket attached to it?

Either way, how hard are they to disassemble and then to put a new piece on? Is it just pulling them apart with your hands or do you need a special tool?

1991 300d 258k

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There are a couple different styles. Can’t quite tell by the picture which one you’re working with. The older style have the socket threaded onto the rod. A little stop but keeps it where you need it to be. The other style is not serviceable. If it breaks, it’s trash

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Current fleet
2006 E320 CDI
1992 300D - 5speed manual swapped

former members
1984 300D "Blues Mobile"

1978 300CD "El Toro"

I use a (IIRC) 10mm open end wrench and slip it under socket to pry up. The plastic ones will come apart but as stated, can fail

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Jim

Someone is going to say this before me but something a blade screwdriver is needed. Lube them first.

Each of the linkages has a specific length from center to center of the ball or the socket. so try to keep the length the same.

The factory manual has to us ATF to lube the ball and socket.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

They can be hard to remove, even if clean and lubed. A screwdriver or small wrench can help a lot.

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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)

This is the tool I use. It's a trim clip tool, but It is very stout and works extremely well to pop the socket linkages.

I just picked up one of those tools a couple months ago and use it all the time. Good suggestion.

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Jim

And they go right back together like nothing ever happened, er what?

Most of the time. I have had the plastic ones that had some age on them break.

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Jim

Can you get the metal ball sockets that the rods thread into? Haven't found a source yet.

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'75 John Deere 450C (times 2)
'83 240D plus parts car
'87 F350, 6.9L IDI
'89 F350 crewcab, 7.3L IDI
'89 F-Superduty, 7.3L IDI
'91 F-250, 7.3L IDI
'91 F-350, 7.3L IDI
'94 F-350 Crewcab, 7.3L IDI
'94 E-350 Ambulance, 7.3L IDI

That would be the thing. But you can get rod anywhere and thread it up lickittysplit. If you could find 'any' socket assembly sets you can make up whatever lengths you want.