Is WD40 acceptable to use on the throttle linkage pivot points?
thanks
engatwork
1995 E320
1997 Honda CRV

The MB maintenance manual prescribes "hydraulic oil" for the throttle linkage for USA version vehicles from model year 1974. (This was printed in 1979)

It goes on to say that only the following grades of hydraulic oil may be used:

BP-Aero Hydraulik 1
Castrol DB Hydraulik Fluid
Esso Univers J-43
Mobil Aero HFA
Shell Aero Fluid 4

Frankly, I would question even how many dealerships follow these instructions.

Anyhow it would appear that you should use a somewhat more substantial lubricant than WD-40, as great as it is.

Have a good one.

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Ted
1979 240D
160,000 miles

The book says use ATF. I felt that WD40 is just cleaner to work with.
engatwork

I have used ATF since I bought my 77 240D new. Easy to use and stays in there. Recommend!

I understand that WD-40 was NOT brought to market as a lubricant. The WD stands for "Water Displacing" so it is more of a penetrating oil than a lubricating oil.

It WILL free up parts, displace water, etc. but in my experience it doesn't hang around long enough to be a good lubricant.

My $0.02

BCingU, Jim

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'96 E300D 60k mi (wife's daily ride)
'95 Audi 90 118k mi (for sale)
'92 GMC Suburban 138k mi
'85 300SD 232k mi (my daily ride)

I just lubed my throttle linkage. Had a tough time getting the sockets off the studs due to the fact that it appears the PO's had not serviced the linkage in many, many years. Several of the sockets were showing signs of rust too. Due to the fact that everything was so dry, I just used regular heavy grease, straight from the grease gun w/needle fitting. Are there any downsides to using heavy grease?

Also, here's a tip: If working inside the door, don't take a break and grease the door hinges before returning to work inside the door. Especially on an inclined driveway .

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

I went on a hunt for hydraulic oil once. I was just about to go to the John Deere dealer when, my Mercedes dealer said they don't use it. I would like to know what to use also. I think I used grease. I know it is the most frequent recommended service that should be done. What do the Mercedes Tech's here use?

I don't know how hydraulic fluid would stay in the socket. My father has a 1985 300D and the Haynes manual for his car says to apply white lithium grease with a brush. The only lithium grease I had was in a spray can, so I also used heavy grease. I popped off the socket and put a good amount in each socket and popped them back together. Then I wiped off the excess. This seemed to quite down the linkage a bit.

__________________
1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

I just with the ATF in the squirt can about every couple or few weeks. I am the type of person that is under the hood of the car at least once every 2 weeks.
Another thought that came to mind after reading the post is the lubricate that is used in pneumatic tools.
engatwork
'95 E320
'95 Honda CRV

For what it's worth, guys:

I use some motorcycle hydraulic fluid I had acquired for my son's motorbike. Perhaps even hydraulic jack fluid would work; that's generally available even at your friendly Wal-Mart store. If later models call for ATF, that is what I would use.

The MB maintenance manual I have calls for the linkage to be dismantled, cleaned and relubricated at each oil change. I suspect that is part of what is supposed to be done with the flat rate hour or so MB allots for oil changes. My personal observations of dealership workshops indicate that it is generally not done.

I do my own oil changes and, thus, the linkage cleaning (I use Q-tips) and lube. My car is now 21 years old and the linkage shows no sign of wear or other deterioration.

The following is purely a hypothetical opinion: the only detriment I can think of resulting from using grease is that the cruise control has to pull harder to activate the linkage. I have seen failure of the cruise control to work traced to dirty gummed up linkage (not my car).

My $.02 worth.

__________________
Ted
1979 240D
165,000 miles

Well, now that the car is in my stable, it has been receiving better care. The throttle linkage will also receive regular attention as well. I don't have any cruise control issues (no cruise) so I'm not worried about that.

Winters here don't get very cold, but the area is somewhat dusty. I will keep a close eye on the linkage to see if the heavy grease is collecting dust/grit. If that is the case, I'll clean it all off and change to something lighter. I have plenty of hydraulic and pnuematic oil on hand.

I do know that this evening the throttle was much more responsive than it has ever been.

BTW Ted, did you ever try Sonny's?

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Not yet, Mike. But we're keeping it in mind. May get out there during the holidays.

__________________
Ted
1979 240D
165,000 miles

AFAIR, WD40 stands for Water Dispersant for 40 days. Thereafter, it ATTRACTS water! So if you use it remember to re-apply it before the 40 days is up else you'll be in right lumber

White lithium grease is the answer. It can be purchased in a small squeezable tube.

__________________
Matt
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1995 E300 Diesel (Die Blau Frau)

I had mentioned using axle/wheel bearing grease to lube the linkage. Should I clean all this out and use something else, like white lithium? I only used the axle grease because I figured it would hold up to any water that might get up there, as well as the heat.

__________________
1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member