scarey moment

[bernhund]

Heading down the A21 today doing about 75mph when I felt something odd under my right foot on the accelerator pedal. Without looking I start twisting my foot a bit, thinking its the sole of my shoe or something. Decided I'd better cover the brakes and look down. WHERE THE F**K HAS MY BRAKE PEDAL GONE! Oh oh, this ain't good. Start kicking my foot about trying to find the pedal, now the accelerator has gone too. There may be trouble ahead, but while there's music..... Anyway finally managed to scrabble about and find the pedals. Triangular box section that the accelerator pedal goes up against had fallen off the bulkhead in the footwell and landed on the pedals, then ended up under them.
I'd taken the aluminium floor off recently to treat my chassis and suspect it came loose then. BE WARNED. Serious consequences had it wedged itself under the pedals.

[lotus160sport]

Had this happen to me once as a certain noble dealer CN failed to re-seal it after trying to find a water leak, it fell right under the brake pedal, lucky I didn't need to brake sharply as when I came to stopping I could only just get enough throw on the pedal to brake very very very gradually so much so i had to be ready on the handbrake.

[The Snail]

Same thing happened on ours, almost went into the back of a Lotus cos I couldn't brake. Left the offending bit off the car now.

[Jim O.]

If the UK cars are anything like the US cars, this cover hides the bolt for the rear of the lower control arm. So, if you ever have the control arm worked on (ball joint replaced, new bushings installed, or even a nut & bolt of the front suspension), check to make sure that this cover is secured. I usually remove this panel, cut an access hole so that the bolt is accessible, then permanently glue the panel back in place with an urethane adhesive. Add a screw or rivet just to make sure that it stays in place, then fill the access hole with a plastic plug.

[bernhund]

Jim, you've described the exact scenario! I had the lower ball joints replaced and decided to paint the exposed chassis area at the same time.
I shall now accuse my mechanic of trying to kill me. I wonder if he ever repaired a black Merc in Paris a few years back?

[leeshell]

I had it where the triangular bit swivelled directly behind the brake pedal. Defo scary moment, puckered right up...

[bernhund]

lotus160sport said:

Had this happen to me once as a certain noble dealer CN failed to re-seal it after trying to find a water leak, it fell right under the brake pedal, lucky I didn't need to brake sharply as when I came to stopping I could only just get enough throw on the pedal to brake very very very gradually so much so i had to be ready on the handbrake.

Greg, I love your comment about the handbrake. I've got a feeling I'd have been getting a visit from a certain 'Mr Grim who's come about the reaping' if I'd been relying on my handbrake! AND it's just been adjusted!