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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    Australind , WA
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    58
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    1,277

    Default Looking for solution to problem

    Hi Gents,

    I want to fit a LH Or a RH accelerator pedel to my car and be able to swap quickly, so the wife is able to drive my car. ( I'm an Amputee).
    I want them to be removable so I don't loose any foot room on the opposite side. I don't think there is enough room to have them fold up out the way. (I've seen this done in the UK. ) I'm tall and my feet are big.

    The car is a 2006 Audi A6. presently I have a VW pedal,I bought off Ebay, modified and mounted to the foot rest. It works very well, for ME....lol
    The car is 'drive by wire' so the pedal operates a dual potentiometer to signal throttle.

    I would like a 'quick connect' arrangment that is solid and locks the alignment.

    We have 'quick connect' tube fittings at work, but they rotate to any position. I initally thought a square tapered tang might work, but I can't think of a way to make it 'quick connect, disconnect'

    Pedal arms will be approx 10mm round bar, I guess.

    I want to do the mod myself, because I know exactly what I want and know more about it than any auto mechanic and the one vague quote I got once, said 'about 8 hours work'...thats lots of money.....

    Anyone think a way to do this?
    Need to be able to fabricate parts in a home workshop. I have lathe, mill and Mig.


    Steve

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    9,088

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sterob View Post
    We have 'quick connect' tube fittings at work, but they rotate to any position. I initally thought a square tapered tang might work, but I can't think of a way to make it 'quick connect, disconnect'
    Got a picture?
    Surely it wouldn't be to hard to use that and either fit a square inside it or outside parallel to it?
    You might have to watch the weight though.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Healesville
    Posts
    2,129

    Default

    I am not too sure what you are asking, is it the linkage between the 2 pedals that you want to disconnect?
    If so maybe something like this https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-2-Driv...frcectupt=true

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    How about a ball locking arrangement to secure it in place, and a square tang to provide the alignment.

    Here's a commercially available pin to give you an idea what I'm rambling about. Not suggesting you use one, more thinking that you incorporate the mechanism of a ball positively locked in place by a spring loaded pin to do the retention.
    Same thing is used on the ratchet drive handles that have the "press to release" button for the socket on the back of the head.
    https://www.smallparts.com.au/store/...se+detent+new/

    Internally they have a pin with a smaller diameter section that allows the ball to retract into it. There's a taper from that area to the full pin diameter and the pin is spring loaded so that spring pressure drives the balls up the taper until they reach the full diameter and are positively locked.

    Steve

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Bendigo
    Age
    60
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    419

    Default

    First thought is to make an assembly for the DBW pedal and use a couple of keyhole fittings for positive location of the assembly to the floor. You would need a spring loaded pin that locks the assembly when in the inserted position so it does not come out while in use.

    As it is DBW you just need two mounts one on the left one on the right and swap the pedal when needed.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Toorloo Arm, VIC
    Age
    39
    Posts
    1,270

    Default

    I assume that it's auto. Not quite sure what your current plan is, whether you're talking about moving the whole pedal or having a linkage that you change over? But I assume that currently the original accelerator pedal is still in it's original position?

    If so, how about getting a manual brake pedal (or cut down the sides of the current one), which would then give you the clearance for permanently mounting the second accelerator where the clutch would normally be. Then just wire a switching arrangement to swap between pedals, or have the plug accessible? Or if both work at the same time, just make a bracket with a hole in it, and a pin that goes through this bracket and the LH accelerator to act as a 'lockout' for when your wife is driving?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Australind , WA
    Age
    58
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    1,277

    Default

    Thanks guys.Some more info.
    Car is auto.
    Will remount and modify OEM pedal. Looking at joining the new LH pedal to the original pedal via a rotating, concentric round bar.
    I had one idea, but its hard to describe and draw.....lol
    Will try tonight.

    Idea was to machine a collar with a slot cut along it. Weld collar to car. pedal side would have a pin in it to fit slot. use a spring loaded detent to hold rods together. Would have to make 2.

    A mate suggested using 2 Tek Chucks like these:
    Screenshot 2020-09-11 145343.jpg

    Steve

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,438

    Default

    Hi Steve, Guys,

    Probably not much help, the only thing that I've seen in a similar situation is a "U" shaped bar fitted at the firewall that pressed down on one pedal when the other end was pressed. The bar loosely rotated in a piece of tube bolted/screwed into the firewall. It wasn't removable but just clipped up out of the way using a "Terry Clip" when the partner drove the car.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Australind , WA
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    58
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    Default

    Thanks Baron,
    I have seen that. Unfortunately that setup leaves the RH pedal in place and would impinge on my leg room.

    steve

    Quote Originally Posted by BaronJ View Post
    Hi Steve, Guys,

    Probably not much help, the only thing that I've seen in a similar situation is a "U" shaped bar fitted at the firewall that pressed down on one pedal when the other end was pressed. The bar loosely rotated in a piece of tube bolted/screwed into the firewall. It wasn't removable but just clipped up out of the way using a "Terry Clip" when the partner drove the car.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Toorloo Arm, VIC
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    39
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    Default

    Hmmm - I was thinking of the all in one pedal arrangement like my Disco uses, but I gather your second pedal is purely the mechanical part, no electronics? And the factory potentiometer is remote mounted? Would make some sense I guess, I've seen that setup on Alfas before.

    In that case, why not a shaft running from the factory pedal over to the left, with a disc on the end with a 'dog' sticking out of it. Then a short shaft running from the left pedal with another 'disc and dog', which sits on the uphill side of the first? The theory being, if you push the right pedal, the dog from that pedal rotates away from the dog on the left pedal, which is presumeably held up by a return spring. If you push the left pedal, the dog on that pedal drives the dog on the other pedal. If that makes sense?

    Kind of a crude one way clutch arrangement, that allows the normal use of the right hand pedal at all times, and also allows for the left pedal to operate whenever needed. You could of course still put a lockout on the left pedal for safety reasons, and it wouldn't affect the right side at all. I can attempt to draw a sketch of what I'm thinking if it'll help. Few different ways to actually implement it, but hopefully the principle comes across. I think it's not too dissimilar to what you're thinking, but perhaps a little more convenient in operation.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Bendigo
    Age
    60
    Posts
    419

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sterob View Post
    Thanks guys.Some more info.
    Car is auto.
    Will remount and modify OEM pedal. Looking at joining the new LH pedal to the original pedal via a rotating, concentric round bar.
    I had one idea, but its hard to describe and draw.....lol
    Will try tonight.

    Idea was to machine a collar with a slot cut along it. Weld collar to car. pedal side would have a pin in it to fit slot. use a spring loaded detent to hold rods together. Would have to make 2.

    A mate suggested using 2 Tek Chucks like these:
    Screenshot 2020-09-11 145343.jpg

    Steve
    Really think you are making a lot of work for yourself.
    It’s DBW, mechanical linkages are going to be problematic, apart from your wish to be able to remove the second pedal changeover can be as simple as a switch to change the active one.

    Thinking about it electrically you can probably work out how to have both connected at the same time, press on either one will activate the throttle no need to deactivate the secondary if you don’t want.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
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    5,942

    Default

    Any chance of a pic of your pedal assy please, would make it easier to come up with proper ideas. I presume that the DBW controller is away from the pedal assy?
    If it's in the one unit, would it be possible to mount the pedal assy to a piece of RHS and that drops into a piece of channel and located by a couple of drop pins, or two keyhole pieces.
    That way it's just a matter of swapping them from right to left for you and reverse for SWMBO.
    Contact these people, as they specialize in this department and they did a similar thing for my BIL.
    https://www.braziermobility.com.au/
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    Australind , WA
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    Default

    I don't want both pedals to be fitted at the same time. I loose too much foot room. ( RHS prosthetic ankle is fixed and a pita.) Sorry, forgot to mention which side it was....lol

    Yes, it might be too complicated....I am just thowing ideas around at the moment.

    Might be able to leave the LH pedal in place, IF the wife agrees and just have a removable pedal on the RH side and move the electrical plug across.

    Thought of another clamping method. Use some angle to keep both rods concentric. Use a bolt to secure the pedal and machine a slot on pedal rod to stop it falling out if it comes loose.
    Rough as guts sketch below....
    Attached Images Attached Images

  14. #14
    Join Date
    May 2011
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    Murray Bridge S Aust.
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    Default

    Will it be too hard to swap the pedal from side to side??
    If it is, what you're wanting to achieve is that the pedal swings up through 180 degrees or thereabouts to get it out of the way for your right foot, and the left pedal swings up out of the way for the wife to be able to use the right hand pedal, once it drops down? Am I correct in my assumptions?
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  15. #15
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    Sep 2006
    Location
    Australind , WA
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore View Post
    Will it be too hard to swap the pedal from side to side??
    Yes, would have to get on my knees and reach up under the dash to get access to and see the 3 mounting bolts, undo them. I would then have to fit a different pedal on the Left side, as the standard pedal would not fit.
    If I'd had a few and it was dark...it would be harder.....lol


    Quote Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore View Post
    If it is, what you're wanting to achieve, is that the pedal swings up through 180 degrees or thereabouts to get it out of the way for your right foot, and the left pedal swings up out of the way for the wife to be able to use the right hand pedal, once it drops down? Am I correct in my assumptions?
    Kryn
    To have '2 pedals and have them swing up and out the way ' is the ultimate, but too complex to DIY, I think. A company in the UK offer that solution and I have asked if they can sell me a kit, but I am not hopeful.
    Suspect it would not be a 'plug and play. fitting. We will see.

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