After reading a hundred or so posts on adjusting the ALDA I came to the conclusion that removing the unit and inserting shims was a way too much work. And then having to remove it again to make a further adjustment. I took the advice of "bill rok". Do it the easy way.
Just mangle the black plastic to get it out of the sleeve.
Shoot some WD40 in the hole.
The metal sleeve is very thin and will peel away easily.
Cut a starting slot with side cutters and bend out.
Grab the metal with needle pliers and wind around like opening a sardine can.
Now remove the remainder of the black plastic.
The adjustment shaft and it's lock nut are exposed and easy to work with. Slack the lock nut off. The adjusting screw will/should turn easy. With a screw driver tap the bit of sleeve remaining down, A 5/8 id chair leg cap will press over that skirt. A 1/4 turn ccw will make a difference to the response. Road test then another 1/4 till you have a quick but clean runing car, no smoke on take off.
Remember the adjustment is only to take up the wear in the IP internal linkage.
Job time. One hour including taking pictures.
I'm in love with the old girl again.

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1984 300SD turbo 126
"My true love"

God made me an atheist and who am I to question His wisdom

Removing the ALDA is the only option for 602s and 603s, outside of not putting it back, because you can't access the set screw with the intake manifold sitting immediately above the ALDA. Whether to adjust or shim is a different matter.

It would be really slick if someone came up with a detent knob to replace the set screw and locknut

Sixto
87 300D

I like that idea Sixto.

However, if you don't mind a little pain, the tedious task of adjusting a 603 or 602 ALDA with the manifold in place is possible, I've done it on both. I won't say it is the better way, but it can be done.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

How would one ascertain that?

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1987 300TD
1984 300D
755,000 KM and going strong
BC Canada

How about drilling two holes in the Intake manifold that line up with the screw of the ALDA? After easily adjusting the setting and locking the locknut, a plug could be inserted to block both holes.

I've heard of this being done a few years ago...

Kevin

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What?

Sounds like something I would have suggested

Sixto
87 300D

good god why? it only takes about 2 minutes to get the alda off on a 603 anyways

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

I would think that MB would set the ALDA for best performance at the factory. The only thing between the ALDA and the rack is internal IP linkage. After 24 years there is bound to be wear.

__________________
1984 300SD turbo 126
"My true love"

God made me an atheist and who am I to question His wisdom

I tried to do the peel-off thing with my ALDA & ending up with a effing mess. I finally just took it off altogether & put it in my tool box. Boy, did it solve my slow-startoff problems!

Yeah, there's a little smoke if I floor it at takeoff, but easily minimized with the foot. Seriously, it really woke the car up & has not bothered the fuel mileage.

I am, however, going to install a boost gauge to keep an eye on things.

Remember that messing with the ALDA is the LAST thing that anyone should do.

All the maintenance points, specs, adjustments and filters should be taken care of before adjusting/removing the ALDA to ensure the engine is running properly to begin with. Many times adjusting the ALDA first only covers up the real problem(s). For example, the throttle linkage not getting full travel.

Once the tamper cap is off it you can adjust it if you're clever. Loosen the 10mm nut then I took a short length of hacksaw blade and ...

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]