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General Information => Upgrades (non engine related ) => Topic started by: erice1984 on July 26, 2012, 03:27:19 pm

Title: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: erice1984 on July 26, 2012, 03:27:19 pm
Anyone ever thought to make the gas pedal and brake pedal height closer to each other?   I find I can not move from gas pedal to brake pedal as quick as I would like.  I am looking for some sort of already been proven remedy to this.

Pictures to come later.

Thanks
-Eric
Title: Re: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: CRSMP5 on July 26, 2012, 09:08:08 pm
never had this as a issue...

but ive had issue in my b3 with not enough room.. wide foot too close to brake...

for simplicity.. try a few stick of wood... once you get the thickness figured out.. then graft the rubber onto the wood.. simple bolt on with a couple nuts/bolts...
Title: Re: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: mystery3 on July 26, 2012, 11:05:55 pm
never had this as a issue...
but ive had issue in my b3 with not enough room.. wide foot too close to brake...

Do you drive with boots on? I like the spacing in the B3 chassis cars.

As far as the OP question are your brakes bled and firm? You might do something to firm up the brake pedal like stainless brake lines?

I may not understand the question entirely though. Are the pedals the right height for downshifting?
Title: Re: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: erice1984 on July 26, 2012, 11:21:14 pm
The brakes are bled.   The problem I am having is I dislike the height the brake pedal is at compared to the height the gas pedal is at.  I feel as though I have to move my leg to go from the gas to brake, I would much rather it be just moving my foot.  So it feels slightly dangerous if I had to react quickly to sudden changes.

I honestly don't know if the PO of my car had put a diff pedal cluster in because a lot of what I got from him was not "normal" and have been fixing things (or changing to my liking) a lot.
Title: Re: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on July 27, 2012, 09:34:30 am
adjust the throttle cable tighter, unless the cable gets fiddle string tight at the end..

ive never had any issues.. i LIKE it that the throttle pedal is way down there, it makes it nice for big guys like me. i dont have to have one leg bunched up to work the throttle, and one stretched out..
Title: Re: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: erice1984 on July 27, 2012, 11:47:34 am
I am a tall guy 6ft. I think I would rather have the brake and clutch pedals lower than raise the gas pedal for the same reason - I don't want to drive with my leg cramped up.

 I was just wondering if someone else has already gone down this road.
Title: Re: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on July 27, 2012, 01:36:39 pm
well, im 6'6", and i can work the pedals fine.. only gripe i have is that they are TOO CLOSE TOGETHER.. i have a couple pairs of shoes that i cant wear while driving my VWs..

mk1s have ALOT LESS leg room than mk2s do..

its been a while since i piloted a mk1, i forgot how cramped they are..

heres something to think about, with the pedals closer to the floor, they have less total travel.

and for my clutch, even brand new, properly adjusted, i have to put it to the FLOOR to get first gear, and reverse to act nice..

not like my brake pedal ever hits the floor, but you get the idea..
Title: Re: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: Dakotakid on July 27, 2012, 09:30:34 pm
Man, this is really beginning to look and sound like one of those Jack Links--"Messing with Sasquatch" commercials!
Title: Re: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: ORCoaster on August 08, 2012, 07:07:15 pm
I have to second R.O.R.  Although not as tall as he I still smack head on the dropped down sunroof deal.  I don't have "monster feet" either but I do have to be particular on the shoes I drive in.  Many times I find my shoelaces wrapped around the pedals.  Don't ask me how that happens.  if I knew I would stop doing it. 

We almost need an offset clutch and maybe compound lever action on these beasts. Still MK1's are great to drive.
Title: Re: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: 8v-of-fury on August 08, 2012, 07:14:11 pm
I am 6'2" and I can drive my mk1 with massive work boots on with no problem. 14EEE is my size of boot. That "EEE" is a triple wide boot. I don't see what you guys are complaining about? lol

Learn what shape your feet are and where your pedals are located ;).

(jk jk)
Title: Re: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: ORCoaster on August 08, 2012, 09:02:15 pm
Well now, I think it must have something to do with the snow shoes you have to wear most of the year and 14 EEE's seem like slippers after that.  I only have a D width going and seems to overlap the two pedals every so often.  Perhaps it is because my attention is focused on the shifter as it is fussy getting into 1st and 2nd at times.  Maybe it is the coffee between the legs, the phone on the top of the leg and cup of coffee in the left hand.  I don't know I just never had to watch my feet before.  Not even in the Triumph I had. 
Title: Re: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: 8v-of-fury on August 08, 2012, 09:14:35 pm
You seem to be an awesome distracted driver :). I wish more were capable of more behimd the wheel.. Especially the ones just driving who are stl oblivious lol.
Title: Re: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on August 08, 2012, 09:27:52 pm
You seem to be an awesome distracted driver :). I wish more were capable of more behimd the wheel.. Especially the ones just driving who are stl oblivious lol.

anyone who drives a VW is capable of multi-tasking..

Jer, you multi-task without even thinking about it..

you keep your 14EEEs on the right pedals while shifting and stopping.. that is a small miracle right there..

my feet are narrower than any shoe i can find, but they still hang up on the brake pedal when going from the gas to the brake..
Title: Re: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: ORCoaster on August 08, 2012, 09:57:46 pm
Maybe I am a distracted driver but I agree with the awesome part too. Oh, you didn't mean it that way?  Crap.

I have thought at times that it was the sole of the shoes I wear that seem to drag across the pedals and thus get hung up.  Any thoughts on that?  My other personal problem is the circulation in the legs goes on me from time to time.  Pins and needles effect after sitting for awhile.  That might affect my ability to raise the toes off the pedals and get them off and out of the way.

Anyone just yank off the rubber pads and go with the bare metal?  I had that on the Triumph for the accelerator.  Can't remember if it was designed that way or not.  Very smooth acceleration from doing that.
Title: Re: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on August 09, 2012, 11:46:04 am
Maybe I am a distracted driver but I agree with the awesome part too. Oh, you didn't mean it that way?  Crap.

I have thought at times that it was the sole of the shoes I wear that seem to drag across the pedals and thus get hung up.  Any thoughts on that?  My other personal problem is the circulation in the legs goes on me from time to time.  Pins and needles effect after sitting for awhile.  That might affect my ability to raise the toes off the pedals and get them off and out of the way.

Anyone just yank off the rubber pads and go with the bare metal?  I had that on the Triumph for the accelerator.  Can't remember if it was designed that way or not.  Very smooth acceleration from doing that.

i dont like they way the pedals feel with no pads on them..

if your accelerator isnt smooth, then replace the throttle cable..

just replaced the cable on my GTI (wasnt even horrible bad yet) but it was STILL a night and day difference as to how much effort the throttle takes now..
Title: Re: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: ORCoaster on August 09, 2012, 06:54:42 pm
My throttle is smooth but it was the Triumph that was all done up with mechanical linkage and carbs that had the smooth surface on the pedal.  Just for comparison purposes.  But I wonder what it looks like under that rubber pad.  If you can imagine a setup like our transmission linkage for a throttle setup that is what it was like.  Not real responsive as it was worn out.  And I was 17 and broke with a GF that like to go places. 
Should I say in more way then one?  NO, it would be a lie.
Title: Re: mk1/2 pedal cluster
Post by: CRSMP5 on August 09, 2012, 07:55:50 pm
its got couple detents..... i hate not having the pad... wet shoe on metal = big problems... foot slides off tooooo easy