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Winter jobs - pedal spacing...


356DNA

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As Scotland is now wall to wall mud / salt or both I'm tinkering on my 7 in the garage. Its an S3 and having only driven it 100 miles since picking it up from the chap that built it I've had some problems with pedal spacing.

I had driven a 310R, 420R and R300 SLR (all s3) prior to purchase and although the pedal box was snug I had no issues with the pedal spacing with the trainers I had on. My car seems to have the throttle and brake so close together that I had to dig out my old race boots to be able to press the brake independently of the throttle...

I have had an initial fiddle, lowering the throttle position position which has improved matters somewhat but compared to the other cars I have driven the spacing seems too close.

I wonder if anyone had a photo of their pedals for reference so I can see if I need to bend the brake pedal or throttle to make it useable. I'm not sure if its a lateral clearance issue or depth issue so would appreciate some images prior to adjustment again.

Thanks.

David.

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I’m 6’1” and have size 11 feet and find I can only drive it in slim, close fitting shoes.

I also have a lowered floor primarily to get my swede lower, but has the bonus of making more room in the footwell (I can rest my clutch foot now) and there is more clearance between my knees and the 290mm momo.

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Jonathan: I can  drive it only with my Puma shoes, nothing else otherwise I press both pedals. Same trouble at MOT time, only I can drive it or do the emissions test. I hadn't worked it out but comparing mine with Ian's it seems to be the brake pedal in the wrong position.

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Thanks for all this info. Mine is currently as you describe Steve. All the others I have driven were fine. I’ll get a photo tomorrow to add. But it feels like the brake pedal is too far right even with the rubber removed. 

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Edited: Crossed with #16!

I wonder if the brake has been spaced with washers or bent?

Is there any way of spacing laterally (short of bending)... it's not in the adjustment notes in the Assembly Guide.

Jonathan

PS: There aren't that many things I'd change on the Seven... but a fully adjustable pedal assembly would be high on the list.

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I think the problem could stem from the throttle pedal bending step during the build.  The build manual recommends doing this on the car, which is ok I guess, but I found the mounting plate/hole for the throttle pedal to be to weak for the forces involved in bending the pedal.  This means it's easy to bend the pivot point result in a pedal that doesn't move as expected.

In addition for some strange reason my brake and clutch used the forward holes and my throttle was mounted in the rear hole. I haven't even investigated the pedals on my current build, but know I will be bending off the car, which is a time consuming process due to the access available.

In your situation I would be inclined to purchase a new throttle pedal and start again.   Install the pedal, check the stop on the throttle pedal holds it in the desired position when the throttle is closed in comparison to the brake, then bend the cable arm so that its in the correct place for the throttle cable at idle and clears the pedal box when pressed.  Finally adjust the throttle stop on the bulkhead for full throttle. 

(Sorry for clarification this is for later cars) 

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In addition for some strange reason my brake and clutch used the forward holes and my throttle was mounted in the rear hole.

I have a big mahogany block bolted on top of my throttle pedal in order to get the height right in relation to the brake pedal. Eventually I'll get round to fettling it to remove the woodwork. Well, actually I'll take up the kind offer of one of the Members who offered to fettle it for me. :-)

Jonathan

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In my case the problem is the brake pedal being too far to the right. I can't see any adjustment for this in the pedal box (although the pedal box itself could be moved to the right, moving the brake and clutch pedals with it, as it is bolted in place through slotted holes, but I don't think that is what the slots are for and therefore not the right solution). The throttle and clutch positions appear to be fine and the pedal heights suit me. With my RH foot pressing against the RH side panel I almost press the brake. I have put up with it because I didn't want to resort to bending the pedal but on a couple of occasions I have caught the throttle in the braking zone causing the car to leap forwards (a most unwelcome feeling!), so it has to be sorted. 

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It hits the stop but you've made me think about if the pedals are the wrong way round. My clutch pedal (the bit with the rubber on it) is offset to the left and the brake is straight. If they were the other way round that would have the effect of moving the brake to the left. Ian's photo is of an earlier imperial car and I think the pedals have changed since then so I can't compare.

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