throttle peddle torture

[TRJIMBO]

The TR7 is a very comfortable car as a passenger. However, as driver, despite the comfortable seats and reclined seating position I find that the accelerator peddle is nothing short of torture on anything other than a spin around the country lanes. I think two factors are at play here. Firstly, it sits too high up despite the deep foot well, secondly, the 'resistance spring' (or whatever you call it) is so weak you can't 'rest' your foot at a certain throttle position during motorway style driving. As a consequence I end up with a very painful shin after only a few miles.

Has anyone tried the 'universal throttles' advertised on ebay?

[Sautie]

At last someone agrees. I raised this issue last year to be told that I was not driving fast enough. Several of my friends complain about the same thing. It is not the force required but the position or angle of the pedal.

[Hasbeen]

Interesting. I feel you must be doing something wrong in your seat position. Are you a "straight arm" driver, or do you like the steering wheel in your chest. How close you sit to the wheel & peddles may be causing your problem.

At 75 I have hip & knee problems. I am waiting for a knee replacement. Driving my ladies Ford Fiesta any distance brings on what must be similar to the pain you experience, & I just can not drive it for more than half an hour or so at a time, if I want to walk again that day.

However I can drive the 7, the 8 or my Honda S2000 on 1100 kilometre, interstate, 10 to 12 hour runs no problem. Sitting well back with the low position, my legs are virtually straight, & comfortable.

One of my 7s had pretty worn out padding in the drivers seat, & was not so good. I fitted 3/8" spacers under the front of the seat runners to lift the front, & give my right thigh more support, until I rebuilt the seats.

I am a straight arm driver, sit well back, & find the ergonomics ideal.

I did have a problem with my Ford/Mercury Capri. The steering wheel is offset slightly to the left. Not enough to actually notice, but it caused me to cock my left wrist when I drove it, which caused a carpel tunnel syndrome pain. Once I realised what the problem was, it took me almost 6 months to train myself not to hold the wheel that way. No problem since my re-education.

I'd suggest a few experiments. Stick a cushion under your thigh, or between your knee & the door, fit a heavy pedal return spring. There will be something you are doing unconsciously to fit the car, which should be easily changed, once you can figure out what it is.

Hasbeen

[FI Spyder]

I had looked into cruise control when I first got my car in 2006. At the time there was a vacuum operated universal system for smaller motors (It started with a "C", it was something like Coleco) and had an optional plastic sphere that would hold a vacuum if the engine was too small for requirements. The cost was around $100. I didn't get it as other areas took priority. I can't see it now (there used to be dozens of them from different suppliers on eBay). As for the weak throttle spring, rather than a stronger spring at the carbs (which may wear out parts there prematurely) I would source a stronger return spring at the pedal box that will give you the resistance you want. If you decide to try the current crop of cruise controls on eBay, post results. I like cruise control for those times I'm on the Trans Canada Highway or the Interstates south of the border.

[dursleyman]

Never had this problem on the TR7 myself, but why can't you bend the pedal or add/modify/replace the spring?

[Sautie]

I drive long arm but being a shorty have to be close enough for my feet to reach the pedals. I have lowered the seat as far as possible with slight improvement. Marius who has an 8 and a Grinell is well over 6ft and he has the same problem with the throttle pedal.

[TRJIMBO]

Thanks for all the replies on here. Some interesting avenues to explore.

Cruise control would be a great idea but I didn't think it could be added to carb'd cars. One thing that helps is if you move your heel toward the seat (raising you knee). It feels less sporty but the increased angle between shin and foot takes some of tension away.

[FI Spyder]

It can be added to carb'd cars. My '88 Tercel wagon is carb'd and I had an aftermarket cruise control added to it when I bought it in '90.

[rugbyref1]

Triumph experimented with their own version .... i know as it is fitted to one of my development cars - when i'm next up at the warehouse i'll take some photos

[Sautie]

My first car(1959) was a 1932 Armstrong Siddeley. It had a Wilson Pre-select gear box and on the steering wheel were an advance/retard lever and a screw adjustable Throttle control. This overrode the foot accelerator. At a desired speed you could by a twist screw set the throttle to maintain that speed. Very hairy at times so I only used as a gimmick.

[busheytrader]

Hi Jimbo,

How tall are you?

Like some others on the forum, I find my wedge comfortable over long distances. I'm 6'2" (1.85m) tall and am able to have my legs fairly stretched out unlike nearly every other car I've owned. It's easy for me to heel and toe, the clutch foot rests fine and my arms are a few inches away from the straight ahead. A pal of mine, around the same height as me, used to suffer from stiff legs in his DHC V8 but he preferred his seat much further forward. I don't know if that was the cause or not.

Adam

[TRJIMBO]

Hello, I'm 5"11'. The car is super comfortable and I do a lot of long distance touring in it. That's when the pedal issue becomes really noticeable. On the French motorways you might sit at a constant speed for 2 hours or more before reaching a toll booth. If the pedal were only an inch or two further back then it would be OK. I guess it depends on the driver though.

I have now purchased a cruise control kit from a UK company. Being fitted in Nov. It is a basic servo set up that controls the throttle cable when activated. It has all the usual safety features. The only modification needed to fit it is a speed sensor. The speedo cable has to be interrupted and the sensor installed in the gap. Looks fairly straightforward.

I'll let you all know how it goes.

[John_C]

I keep thinking about the situation reported in this thread and I can't get my head around it either. I can drive the car all day with barely a break and I have absolutely no trouble at all. Driven down to the South of France with very few stops before except for fuel and got out at the other end feeling like I hadn't travelled. It's got to be a seating position thing where certain body shapes just don't fit as well. I have the seat as far back as possible with the back resting on the rear bulkhead. I'm 6ft 1" - or at least I was... might have shrunk by now, getting old!

[busheytrader]

It may also be down to the condition of the driver's seat. The foam can degrade or wear over the years causing pressure points on the legs. Over time my original seat sank down about an inch as the foam and rubber diaphragm degraded. I bought a replacement blue check seat complete at a meeting and my true height was restored. I'll probably sink back down again in a few years.

I should retrim the seats but there's other priorities at the moment..........

Adam

[TRJIMBO]

I have the seat in the same position as you John, against the bulkhead back and base. I have newly rebuilt seats as well. The only old thing in my car is me and the bodywork.

I've been doing some research sitting in a few different cars and I'm becoming more convinced that the weak throttle pedal return spring is the culprit (the torsion spring on the pedal pivot point). I've noticed that the pedal will sink to the bulkhead with only the weight of a foot (try it), it becomes necessary therefore, to apply muscular tension to keep the pedal static for a constant speed. In my BMW, I can push the pedal to a new position, relax my calf and shin muscles and the pedal doesn't sink forward under the weight of my foot. I'm relaxed and don't notice any tension in my right shin.

I'm going to see if I can find a company that will supply a suitably stiffer torsion spring. That is, unless anyone on here already has....?