1983 300TD weak blower after rebuild

1983 300TD wagon: Finally got around to installing the blower motor
brushes kit I ordered a month ago- it was really easy and the instructions were
invaluable to me.

But now I have a new problem. I replaced the brushes because the blower motor was
drawing too much power and making the #8 fuse really hot. Now the blower's
back in, with the new brushes and a lubed bearing (I used tri-flow), and it
fires right up. However, the air flow thru the vents is rather weaker than it was
pre-rebuild on high fan setting, and the fuse is still getting too hot for
my taste. Could this mean I need to get a dreadedly expensive new
blower motor? Or perhaps a blower regulator? I've seen them referred to as a culprit in weak w124 blowers...

Any thoughts anyone?

Thanks

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