The 617 has about 10 ball and socket joints that are between your right foot and the injection pump. It's quite the Rube Goldberg affair. So, if the linkage is perfectly lubricated, the pedal still has a "firm" feel to it as compared to most gassers.

However, most people drive the 617 with nary a care about this linkage. It is almost mandatory to lubricate these ball and socket joints at every oil change if you want the action of the linkage to remain without too much effort.

Each socket can be removed from the ball by simply popping it off. Once you do one of them, you will see how it works. Usually a screwdriver will assist.

Clean the ball and clean the socket and put a dab of hydraulic fluid in the socket and put it back together. If you won't do this religiously, then use a dab of grease. The grease will cause a slightly stiffer action and will attract some dirt, but it is way better than nothing.

I'm a bit lazy, myself, and I usually shoot the sockets with WD-40 if I don't want to bother to do it the proper way and pop them off.