custom pedals?

[edward ericson]

New guy Mike N Scarlett pointed out that Bridget’s brake and clutch pedals have an extra zig (or is it a zag?) in their shafts, widening the space between them and between the brake and the gas pedal. I, of course, never noticed this and had assumed my pedals were stock VW.

Apparently not.

Anyone else ever seen a setup like this? Have an idea of the total pro/con picture? In my case, I still step on my own feet down there, occasionally get the gas pedal wedged up and away from the roller (may just remove the “pedal” part) and found no good place to rest the left foot on those times when cruising some distance in 4th. That said, I can’t hardly imagine what troubles I might have if those pedals were closer together.

For your consideration and comment, then:

[Paul Mossberg]

There could be variations by year, but I doubt it. By anything I have ever seen, this was modified.

And shortening the clutch and brake pedals, does two things I do not like.

First, the obvious, the brake and clutch leverage is greatly reduced. You are working harder to engage the clutch and to apply the brakes. The brake issue concerns me more than the clutch.

Second, less important, but you mention it as a problem for you. With those pedals’ levers straight, the way VW intended, you would have room to the left of the clutch pedal to extend and relax the left leg. I’m 6″2″ and have the room to fully stretch my left leg when on the road. I usually do not ride that way for long distances. Btu it;s nice to be able to move around a bit.

And in the end, you have not gained much. My 6’2″ bod ends with size 12 feet. With the brake in its stock (and more efficient) location, it is not in the way of the gas pedal. VW built millions this way. Had there been a problem, they would not have left them as is.

A final thought, your firewall is much closer than mine. And also looks like it bends up towards the driver much sooner than in my Duchess. It is possible that unmodified pedals would not work  in your car. They might hit the firewall to early in their travel arc.

Having seen your car, I love its authentic looks. But this particular aspect strikes me as poor design by the manufacturer. They seem to have compromised the pedals because of the way they shaped the firewall.

Just my humble opinion.

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[edward ericson]

You’re right, Paul. Looking at the assembly manual, there is no sign of any modded pedals or need for them. The photo is of standard pedals–taller and narrower. Could be the builder installed them too close to the firewall and had to pull them and bend them like that. Could even be the owner of the donar car did it, perhaps to accomodate 16 EEEs, and Bridget’s builder didn’t notice. I’d never have know it was different if no one had told me. The leverage loss is no concern though–the clutch is nothing compared to an old Camaro of Chevy II unit, and the brakes lock up* long before my leg is straining.

I’m gonna leave well enough alone for now.

*Yeah, ordered all new wheel cylinders and flex brake lines last week. Hope to solve that problem next weekend.

[Mike]

I agree with Paul about losing leverage when the bends shortened the length. Im having a different problem here. I have posted some photos in my gallery ( Mike N Scarlett) Im Mike by the way..laughing here now. Besides all the grass clippings I need to vacuum out they show my pedal assembly, a shot with a size 11 Tenny Shoe as we used to call em if your old enough. One photo shoes the shoe all the way to the right against the tunnel and on the throttle overlapping the brake pedal about 1″. Another photo shows the shoe on a the throttle and you can see the brake pedal over lapping the shoe. Something is not right here at all. I have plenty of room forward to the firewall and plenty of room to the left for extension of the clutch and brake. What I have decided to to is by a new pedal assembly (cheap enough) and compare them with what I have in the car. If the are the same I will take them to where I work and have one of the welder/fabricators splice in a piece to each pedal and move them left about 1 1/2 low next to the shaft. These guys are good and once painted you wont be able to tell the modification. That way I will be able to keep the original pedal length. I am curious as to why mine seem to be so close to the tunnel. I remember driving friends bugs as a teen and not having a foot clearance problem. As for the pedal assembly Edsnova has, even with the shortened length they are still better than what I have. I plan on doing the same offset, but by a different route. When i get the new pedal assembly maybe I will find for some odd reason mine have been modified and moved to the right.

[Paul Mossberg]

Mike,

I am certain your brake pedal lever is bent to the right (towards the gas pedal). Clutch looks ok.

The entire assembly rides on one axle. And it appears to be attached to the center tunnel OK.

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[Mike]

Paul…. after reading your post and looking at my photos I thought to myself it sure looks bent to the right. I went out in the garage and checked. My brake pedal is straight and square to the floor. Is the brake lever supposed to be straight or does OEM have a slight bend to the left? The photo is an optical illusion. I didnt have a dead on shot with the camera and the shot was taken more left looking right. I did measure the gap between the brake and clutch pads and it was two inches from left side of break pad to right side of clutch pad. Maybe someone will measure thiers and confirm this distance for me? I am rethinking my idea of buying a new pedal set and  just pulling the assembly and heating the brake lever and bending it to the left about 1″ and do the clutch lever the same to match. Not to the extreme as the photos in edsnova shows, but just enough to allow my foot to fit the throttle pedal with a little extra.

[Paul Mossberg]

Yes,the stock brake pedal is square to the floor.

http://www.chircoestore.com/catalog/product_info.php?product s_id=1437

Click the picture to enlarge it.

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[Mike]

Paul I am really confused as to why there is so little throttle room. My assembly bolts directly to the tunnel as it should and is solid with no play or slack. I looked at the photo in the link you posted and one at CIP1 shown here http://www2.cip1.com/PhotoGallery.asp?ProductCode=VWC%2D113% 2D798%2D071%2DC

The CIP1 Link shows a dead on shot. It shows the brake lever being straight except for the top 1 1/2 inch or so and it bends left. Mine is straight all the way to the pad.If I had as little as 1″ more room I think I would be fine. I think my next project will be pulling the assembly, getting out the torch and just bending it left a little. If I dont like the results  I will just get a replacement assembly. Right now I am working on a wooden console/cup holder that goes between the seats and wraps around the shifter. I will post some photos when finished.Thanks again for your help and input.

[Author]

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