Accelerator Pedal

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:33 am

Done a search on this but can't find anything quite matching my problem.

Was driving to work this morning, when the pedal suddenly 'dropped' form under my foot.
Pulled over, had a look, and all seemed OK. Spring mounted to underside of dash was connected to RHS of bracket behind pedal, and rod that pulls the accelerator cable was connected to the LHS of same bracket.
However, I noticed that the first two inches of travel in the pedal weren't pulling the cable - however, beyond that point all seemed OK.
So figured it would be OK to get me to work, and carried on driving - was a bit strange as I had to push right down on pedal to get any acceleration, but was managing.
Then a couple of miles down the road the pedal went completely. Pulled over and this time the ball joint from the rod had come out of the bracket behind the pedal. Popped it back in and continued, and a mile later it popped out again.
Had to do this about 4 times in all to get to work, and was having to try and keep pedal travel constant as much as possible - not the most fun way to drive.

I presume the ball joint will be OK, if I can rectify what caused the initial fault - anyone got any ideas?
Or anyone in the Uddingston area with a spare half hour today, so I could compare?

Car is a S2 111 - not sure if the pedal mechanism has been changed at any point in the range.

Sanjøy · Post by **Sanjøy** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:35 am

Looking at my acc pedal this weekend too as I have inches of travel.

tenkfeet · Post by **tenkfeet** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 11:21 am

I took a look at mine and I think its a different set up as it a MY04 . You could try putting a ty-wrap or two round it to get you home .

If its of any help Elise parts do an upgrade for the throttle pedal due to the plastic bush wearing .

http://www.eliseparts.com/shop/index.ph ... cts_id=607

robin · Post by **robin** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 1:34 pm

scottydog wrote:Done a search on this but can't find anything quite matching my problem.
snip

Car is a S2 111 - not sure if the pedal mechanism has been changed at any point in the range.

The ball joint is connected to the pedal via a small brass bracket which is riveted onto the pedal. It isn't unheard off for this to suffer fatigue and/or come away from the rivet. This gives you a wonky mechanism such that the pedal moves without taking the linkage with it. If the bracket twists then the angle of the balljoint to the tie rod will change, allowing it to pop out of the socket.

I am pretty sure that this will still apply to S2 111S - certainly applied to all S1 and early S2.

Cheers,
Robin

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 1:58 pm

I think that's it - the brass bracket can slide up and down the shaft of the pedal - are you saying it should be riveted in a fixed position?

Anyone any ideas in what's involved in fixing it - as simple as riveting the bracket back in position? Or more involved - loks like quite an akward position.

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:04 pm

scottydog wrote:Anyone any ideas in what's involved in fixing it - as simple as riveting the bracket back in position? Or more involved - loks like quite an akward position.

Try this thread Scotty http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... php?t=2775

Is that a similar problem? Should be a fix in there too.

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:47 pm

Read the thread and looked at the kit. I can't work out if that's my problem, which seems the be the brass bracket attached to the rear of the shalt/stalk of the pedal has become disconnected (due to knackered rivet.)

Which parts is that kit designed to replace?

Post by **Shug** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:53 pm

scottydog wrote:Read the thread and looked at the kit. I can't work out if that's my problem, which seems the be the brass bracket attached to the rear of the shalt/stalk of the pedal has become disconnected (due to knackered rivet.)

Which parts is that kit designed to replace?

That kit replaces the bits after that (in the line from pedal to TB) so not much use in this situation - a good mod while you're down there, though.

You need to sort the wee bracket on the pedal. Rivet might do it, but not having done it myself, I don't know what the access is like.

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:39 am

Trussed up with cable ties to get me home.

Later drilled out rivet, and replace with a bolt, fastened with a nut - awkward, rather than difficult to do.

Now sweet.

Burnetto · Post by **Burnetto** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 9:56 pm

Hi Scotty,

Just saw your thread and see you already have it fixed. Exactly the same thing happended to mine few months back. The pedal gradually lost all feel and travel.

A tad annoying as your Lotus suddenly feels like 1.0 litre banger!! But a relatively easy fix once you dislocate your back and get upside down in the footwell.

Might be worth getting one of these throttle linkage things.

Cheers

Jamie

dr al · Post by **dr al** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:22 pm

Glad you fixed it! -

I got fed up with my crappy accelerator feel, and did a DIY linkage upgrade - a bit of careful drilling, turning down a wee shim and adding a couple of bearings - my linkage now runs on ball bearings!

Fitted it thismorning - What a difference!!!

plus i've set up the pedal-upstop, linkage, adjuster in the engine bay, and the pedal-backstop. - no more 2" dead travel before the cable pulls, and I'm sure i'm getting more power now, as my throttle body is now open FULLY at full pedal!

The only tricky bit was the pedal upstop (but fixing it has made a BIG difference!) - mine really wasn't adjustable, just a bolt. - so I had to put in some spacer shim/washers. - easy enough, but fiddly!

sorted

A.

Scottish Elises

Accelerator Pedal

Accelerator Pedal

Re: Accelerator Pedal