Date:         Mon, 23 May 2011 17:15:40 -0700
Reply-To:     Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: gas pedal > accelerator linkage question [RESULTS]
Comments: To: Mike <mbucchino@charter.net>
In-Reply-To:  <68C108AE71834BADA663CA3494B2B314@Mikelaptop1>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

Hey Mike B,

I've already done it and I like it. Just got back from a test drive.

I didn't notice any extra effort needed, but that might become
noticeable on a long trip.

But now I can access the wide-open throttle end of things more easily,
and access kickdown without sliding my buttocks all the way forward in
the seat and mashing my foot against the pedal. And the less-steep angle
of the pedal with the lower end of the pushrod about 1/2'' farther
forward than the stock location better fits the natural relaxed position
of my foot. I like it.

I'm sure that if the amount of pressure required becomes fatiguing I can
adjust a spring or two in the linkage to soften things.

Of course, this modification will probably never be needed by anyone
else here. But file this away if you see a fused right ankle in your
future (Magic 8-Ball?); you'll see that driving with a fused ankle is
like wearing a downhill ski boot on your right foot when operating the
gas pedal.

Well . . . it's not a bad as that. You know how you can curl your foot,
like making a fist with it? That allows the toe end of the foot to press
down on the pedal some, plenty for average cruising needs, but makes WOT
hard to get to.

 -- Rocket J Squirrel AKA Jack Elliott.

On Mon, 2011-05-23 at 18:53 -0400, Mike wrote:
> Any linkage arm that is shortened will result in a higher input pressure
> being necessary, due to having a lesser mechanical advantage.
>
> So, that fused ankle will have to work harder while travelling the shorter
> distance.
>
> Ya gotta choose your battles.  Not sure how you'd accomplish this at the
> pedal end.
>
> Mike B.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rocket J Squirrel
> Sent: Monday, May 23, 2011 6:16 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: gas pedal > accelerator linkage question
>
> I'm looking at modifying the gas pedal linkage so I can get more cable
> action with less ankle action (I'm the guy with the fused right ankle).
>
> Bentley page 20.23 shows the relevant bits.
>
> Can someone tell me how the lower end of the Push Rod is captured in the
> upper hole of the Relay Lever?
>
> I have the cover off and am peering at the assembly and it just kind of
> looks like the end of the push rod is all kind of mashed and mooshed
> there. Can the two parts be easily separated or is it some kind of
> factory squeeze job?
>
> --
> Rocky J Squirrel
> '84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> '74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
> Bend, OR
> KG6RCR
>