'69 280 SL sticking gas pedal

[n/a]

help please! after i step on the gas, the pedal sticks and does not ease up when i take my foot off.  i have to place my foot under the pedal and lift it up so the car stops revving. my mechanic is stumped and thought it was the idler arm, but it still happens. anyone have an idea on what the problem is and how to repair it? many thanks

[Malc]

Drop of oil on all the hinge points
make sure no "return" springs have broken, gone missing.
Not binding on carpets or other objects...
No bent links?

Watch that the links aren't worn out and your basically taking up the slack by lifting the pedal.

HTH
Malc

[Ricardo]

I've heard that ATF is the best linkage lubricant....can anyone confirm that?
Ricardo

[Ben]

I had this problem a couple of weeks ago !

I hadn't used the car in about 2 weeks, it was getting stiff, but it was almost seized !

I disconnected the linkages one by one to locate where it had seized and it was on the main shaft at the bulkhead. Seized solid. I used WD40 liberally and found if I forced the linkage baxck and forth in its regular direction whilst also pulling sideways it would move enough to expose the clamping section enough that I could lubricate it properly before restting everything !

Took about 20 minutes but its moves better than ever now !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[tuultyme]

I had a slight "sticking" problem with my linkage this summer.  It turned out that the heater hose from the left side of the engine running to the heater was interfering with the linkage at the back of the injector pump.  Used a small cable tie to hold it in place away from the linkage "solved" my problem.

Bruce; 268Blaugrun(green) 1970 280SL; IL

[Cees Klumper]

I spent quite a bit of time cleaning all the linkages, ball joints, replacing worn ones, and properly lubricating it all (ATF is a new one for me, must try it next time) and my gas pedal is now very light to operate which is nice. There are many joints, return springs (including the one at the intake venturi, the main 'arm' on the FI pump etc) but if you methodically go through all of them, this should not be a really tough problem.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[ja17]

Hello,
The linkage pivot on the block gets stiff also. It is not easy to get to, you may want to try from below if you find it is the problem.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[Benz Dr.]

ATF is good but I use grease on a stick. It's not really called that but I have a tube of this special grease that I use for this purpose and a long artists paint brush sticking out of the tube so that's how it got that name.

This grease will stay in there for a long time and I just add a bit of oil once in a while which tends to activate the grease and makes it soft.

Daniel G Caron

[Malc]

If your going to use grease use a high temperature one as the under bonnet temperatures can cause it all to melt
just a thought
Malc