Hi all,

After a 10 year hibernation I have re-started the engine and checked the brakes. The engine only required the dizzy cap and rotor cleaning in the end, after checking a load of other items on route!

Surprisingly, the brakes just needed the surface rust removing with a wire brush and they all turned ok. Even the hand brake is operating as it should.

My current problem is that the throttle linkage is very stiff and I cannot get it to release fully. I removed the linkages and have determined that it's the rod that passes through a small tube that bridges the bulkhead.

I have applied lots of penetrating fluid at both ends but the throttle will only close 3/4 the way. If I pull backwards on the pedal it closes the remainder of the way.

Any ideas on what might be causing the problem and how to overcome it?

Regards
Brian

I am new to the sharks, but on some older 3 series it helped to lube the cable jacket (or tubing) the throttle cable passed through.

I am new to the sharks, but on some older 3 series it helped to lube the cable jacket (or tubing) the throttle cable passed through.

Thanks for the suggestion, but the cable moves freely through the outer sleeve. Its just the spindle that runs through the bulkhead pipe.

i believe you have RHD(right hand drive)and there is some difference. on the LHD there is just a cable from the bulkhead.

i believe you have RHD(right hand drive)and there is some difference. on the LHD there is just a cable from the bulkhead.

Yes it is RHD but there is still a cable running from the bulkhead to the butterfly valve.

The cable is attached to a lever at the baukhead which is then attached to a spindle. This spindle then runs through a small diameter tube, at the bulkhead, that runs from the engine side to the inside of the car.

The spindle is cranked on the inside of the car and then connects to an adjustable linkage, which finally is attached to the gas/accelerator pedal.

My probem is that the spindle running through the bulkhead tube is binding and no amount of penetrating oil has eased it. I tried disconnecting the engine bay lever and pulling it from the inside of the car, to remove the spindle, but it did not seem to want to move.

is there a way to pull the whole spindle assy from the car and work on it that way. i'm having a hard time visioning what the spindle assy looks like. is the cable operating freely inside the sheath? with the cable dis-connected is it still the spindle that's hanging up? is it missing a return spring?

is there a way to pull the whole spindle assy from the car and work on it that way. i'm having a hard time visioning what the spindle assy looks like. is the cable operating freely inside the sheath? with the cable dis-connected is it still the spindle that's hanging up? is it missing a return spring?

Everything works ok, its just the spindle binding on the two bushes. Yes, I think you are right and I will need to dismantle it completely to sort it out. Strange how the penetrating oil seemed to have no effect!

Everything works ok, its just the spindle binding on the two bushes. Yes, I think you are right and I will need to dismantle it completely to sort it out. Strange how the penetrating oil seemed to have no effect!


Well I've sorted it and the throttle pedal is moving back and forth feely now.

The spindle runs through two split nylon bushes, which are housed in the pipe/tunnel that bridges the baulkhead. I think what has happened is that some corrosion on the inside of the pipe, on the engine bay side, started and as it did it compressed the split nylon bush, clamping the spindle.

Took everything apart, cleaned and lubricated it. The worse part is that there is little room for large hands on the engine bay side and everytime I pushed the splined clamp/lever back on it pushed everything back towards the inside again.

After lots a trying and loads of cursing I removed it all again. This time I worked the two splined pieces back and forth a number of times in order to make them fit together with much less force. After that it was fairly easy to assemble, with just the fitting back of the circlip being a bit fiddly.

Anyway, after a 10 year hibernation the engine now runs, the brakes are not binding and the accelerator does not jam in the half open position. So I can now move it, under power.

glad you got it working. thanks for posting the resolution. the RHD is appearantly much different than the LHD.