Abstract: In a fuel injection system having a stepper motor (40) positioning the pump rack (32) in the fuel injection pump (18) to control the end of injection, a preloaded, compliant linkage (52,54,56) is interposed between the stepper motor output pinion gear (48) and the pump rack (32) to prevent a phase shift between the actual and the desired stepper motor position. The preload of the linkage (52,54,56) is set at greater than the normal operating load and less than the stepper motor output. The linkage includes a rack member (52) that is urged by a spring-loaded mechanism (76) against the output pinion (48) of the stepper motor (40) to maintain tooth engagement, and a clevis member (56) that is pivoted to allow the rack member to move away from the pinion in the event of a pump rack load of extremely high (tooth-damaging) magnitude. A closed throttle position is assured by a spring (99) urging the single-acting linkage against a stop (98).