126 cruise control linkage: how tight of a pull

[lesrrt]

Just a ? for any of you senoir techs-buffs. I recently got my 82 380sel on the road again: Dbl t-chain, head gaskets, valve-job w/ new seals etc.. Car runs great and no complaints. I noticed that when the cruise is engaged, it wants to hold the throttle. However, the return spring where the foot-pedal linkage comes out is tight and overpowers the crusie vdo motor. Thus, not holding the speed. My ? is this: Assuming all the linkage is moving freely and no binding is present, can the large return spring be too stiff? I never had another 126 to compare it too as far as foot-throttle feel. I have meticulously taken all linkage apart and greased the fittings. When the car is off and if I grab the vdo cruise motor lever, it feels like there is a lot of strength needed to pull the thottle to sustain cruise set-speed. Can the main throttle sping be cleaned, derusted to be a little more complient, or is the vdo cruise motor supposed to be stout enough to pull the entire linkage to cruise and maintain proper speed? Also, how much resistance should be on the gas pedal to begin with? Thanks!! les