Don't know about the rubber grommets theory (daBenz doesn't have them). daBenz's gorilla knob's cable has a slotted end. The slot pulls the pin to start, pushes the pin to stop, and the pin floats in the slot when the engine is running. A five minute adjustment. That pin controls the fuel pump: off, normal operation, and a little extra fuel for starting. Dollars to donuts it was "adjusted" in an attempt to "reduce" the pull required to start. You should have two distinct pulls: one to glow and a hard pull to start.

__________________
daBenz - 1970 220D