Accelerator pedal heavy
Discussion
Just started driving my 98 4.2 and loving it to bits.
The only thing I find a little offputting is the accelerator pedal which seems to be very heavy, and not much feel to it.
Is this normal and something I have to get used to, or is there something that can be done to lighten it up a little?
The only thing I find a little offputting is the accelerator pedal which seems to be very heavy, and not much feel to it.
Is this normal and something I have to get used to, or is there something that can be done to lighten it up a little?
Hmm, this could be indicative of chafing on the accelerator cable. Mine started to feel quite heavy, until it eventually went ping! That was on a 98, and went last summer. The new cable is about 50 quid, I think, and is relatively easy to replace yourself. Mine went at 11 pm in Richmond, and so buggered me good and proper until I got a new one.
If you get you head right into the footwell with a torch, you will see what a heath robinson system the whole thing is - look closely for fraying bits of metal cable, and, all the best!
If you get you head right into the footwell with a torch, you will see what a heath robinson system the whole thing is - look closely for fraying bits of metal cable, and, all the best!
Similar problem driving on the motorway in Southern France. The pedal had been stiff all day and then all of a sudden I went to accelerate hard out onto the fast lane and it went all floppy. Managed to steer it onto the hard shoulder and thought the cable had snapped. I Phoned the RAC to come and get me but unfortunately they are not allowed to recover on the motorway. You have to phone the police. To cut along story short, because trust me it was hell on earth, the bracket that the cable fixes into in the engine bay had snapped. A quick weld and back on route.
jacko996 said:
Can anyone let me know how difficult/easy to change cable myself?
Does that mean it's broken??
Done mine a few months ago.
Give yourself a few hours to take account of the swearing and wishing you had bought something else.
Easiest way I found was to unbolt the throttle pedal and the little bracket that acts like a guide before it goes through the bulkhead. Then bring it as far into the cabin as comfortable so that you can disconnect everything.
When you start to pull the old one through attach a bit of string or something to help pull the new one in as it would be quite tricky otherwise. (It seems to do a loop under the clutch fluid inspection cover).
Watch you don't damage the thin metal pipe that goes through the same holes under the engine bay. This is your capillary tube for the water temp. You will need a new gauge if you break the tube as it is all one unit.
All in it's not too bad but only something I would want to do once every few years.
jacko996 said:
Andy
Its not broken but very stiff so needs replacing. but not sure were to get the replacement cable from.
If it is a throttle cable, get a strip-spec throttle cable attached! It aint snapping anytime this decade... I believe you can get one from US Automotive or directly from Summit Racing for around £10-20. They are sealed and internally lubricated using a 1500degree lubricant of some sort and teflon coated with a ceramic inner sheeth, the wire itself is a composite of steel and zinc I believe...
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