MartyNZ

Here is a picture of the RH throttle body link rod ball socket options that I tried, and work well. Mercedes Benz P/N A0009930461, and Volvo P/N 946703 ball socket.

As suggested, I tried Volvo Part 946703 ball socket on the RH throttle body. This Volvo Part fits perfectly just as the Mercedes part 0009930461 does. I used the Volvo part instead of the Mercedes part, as it is plastic, and has a groove in it which can retain grease, and catch grit. I now have a spare Mercedes rod end to give away if anyone wants it. PM me. Then I made a brass bush for LH throttle lever connection to the link rod. The brass insert in the LH throttle body arm was worn enough that the LH throttle opened before the RH throttle and TPS began to move. I bored the brass insert to take a thin wall brass bush made from a section from an old telescopic radio antenna. Now that there is no noticable play in either the LH link or the RH ball & socket, I expect synchronizing will be easier at both idle and higher RPM. Ta, Marty.

I haven't looked, but I'd try Blacks Fasteners. http://www.blacksfasteners.co.nz/

The plastic throttle link rod ball socket on my 03 V11 had 1mm slop. Thanks to this forum, I went to the local Mercedes dealer here in New Zealand. After a 5 day wait for shipping, they supplied a metal ball socket which is a perfect fit, costing NZ$21.44. They tell me that this part is common to many MB cars 1970-1980. MB P/N A0009930461. This is a different P/N from the longer one mentioned by BruceReader > Todd of MPH > P/N 0009918822, which may be just as good. I'd prefer to fit a plastic socket if I could, as the plastic seems to wear instead of the ball. The ball will be harder to repair after another 80,000km if this hardened metal socket will wear the ball. Meantime, I'll have to keep it greased. The original plastic ball socket weights 2g, but the MB part is 9g. Being me, I couldn't leave it alone, so I ground wrench flats on it, which got it down to 8g but then I had to paint it black. I hope that this is helpful, and thanks for all the other excellent contributions. Marty