Date:         Tue, 12 May 2009 08:00:59 -0230
Reply-To:     Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Subject:      Re: broken gas pedal
In-Reply-To:  <9e69367d0905120122r6bc83002m68715acf55bb41b1@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Thanks, everyone!

I don't have any holes at the bottom of the floppy pedal, so it appears that
the pedal has broken at the hinge and the part with the rivets is still
attached to the floor.

I've got a variety of ideas in mind for a temporary fix so as I can move the
van from its current spot by the curb!

Karl, you need to get your own ticket, but please do come visit!  (Everyone
else is welcome too, if you make your way to Newfoundland.)  And how was the
wedding, and how come you never answered my email weeks ago???



Joy



On Tue, May 12, 2009 at 5:52 AM, Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@gmail.com> wrote:

> Joy,
>              _______________________
>             /                                |   o  |
> <front    /                    Hinge > |       |   back of van >
>            \                                 |       |
>             \_________________  | _o_ |
>
> The pedal should have a flexible area which acts as a hinge.  The
> shorter peice should be attached to the floor with two rivets.  You
> can kinda pry the carpet out of the way without damaging it.  If the
> end of the pedal toward the back of Matilda has two smallish holes (a
> bit smaller than 1/4 inch), then you simply need to reattach the pedal
> to the floor, a piece of cake if you have ten foot arms or a friend
> who's willing to get under the van for you.  You'll need to drop the
> spare tire, move it out of the way, and lay your red head on the spare
> tire carrier.  The accelerator linkage is contained in a small (ca.
> 1"x1"x5") white box.  If the pedal is still attached to the linkage
> you do not need to drop this box.  The pedal attachment holes are a
> couple inches behind this box.
>
> I went to Home Depot and got 12-24 x 1" (I think 1/2" would work)
> screws and appropriate washers, and nuts, fed them through the pedal
> and floor, and ran the nuts up on the screws from beneath.  Steph held
> the screwdriver from above while I tightened the nuts from below.
> Only took a half-hour or so.  Still fresh in my mind since we did this
> last weekend!
>
> If the pedal is torn at the rubber hinge, you'll need to replace it.
> As a temporary get-you-home measure, I would probably try to find a
> piece of leather and use contact cement to glue across the broken
> hinge (probably last a few weeks).  My guess is that you just lost the
> rivets.  If you need help, send me a ticket and I'll be right there.
>
> Love,
>
> Karl
>