Clutch Pedal Warning
01-08-2008, 05:14 PM
#26
Shootin' from the hip
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Not to drag this thread off topic but Labby makes some excellent points about seating position.
I always laugh at the neanderthals who think reclining their seat back will give them a boy racer look when behind the wheel. Some of them could use the rear window to look sideways! Most race drivers in all categories sit as upright as the class of car will allow and with the wheel relatively close to their chest for maximum leverage with least amount of effort.
I follow the oft-taught guideline of being close enough to rest my wrists on top of the wheel whilst sitting normally and also have a slight bend in the legs when any pedal is depressed. This upright position also saves your back as Labby points out, especially on long drives or track days. You should also be able to have enough bend in your arms to be able to turn sharp corners without either hand leaving the 'quarter to three' position.
All that aside, I still think we're talking very flimsy design here if merely an offset seating position can cause this clutch pedal asembly to fail like that.
I always laugh at the neanderthals who think reclining their seat back will give them a boy racer look when behind the wheel. Some of them could use the rear window to look sideways! Most race drivers in all categories sit as upright as the class of car will allow and with the wheel relatively close to their chest for maximum leverage with least amount of effort.
I follow the oft-taught guideline of being close enough to rest my wrists on top of the wheel whilst sitting normally and also have a slight bend in the legs when any pedal is depressed. This upright position also saves your back as Labby points out, especially on long drives or track days. You should also be able to have enough bend in your arms to be able to turn sharp corners without either hand leaving the 'quarter to three' position.
All that aside, I still think we're talking very flimsy design here if merely an offset seating position can cause this clutch pedal asembly to fail like that.
Last edited by Revolver; 01-08-2008 at 05:16 PM.
01-08-2008, 08:53 PM
#27
great photos auzoom!!
my thought is i was wondering how skewed the pedals are. i think the rhd models would have a more straight shot at the clutch. where the lhd might have a bit of lateral push to it.. and the lateral part is what is doing it here..
and i agree with the #s here vs the # down under it might be a while till one shows up...
the first one reported here was charles hill. but he was running a stronger pressure plate.. but now they are going with the stock clutch..
beers
my thought is i was wondering how skewed the pedals are. i think the rhd models would have a more straight shot at the clutch. where the lhd might have a bit of lateral push to it.. and the lateral part is what is doing it here..
and i agree with the #s here vs the # down under it might be a while till one shows up...
the first one reported here was charles hill. but he was running a stronger pressure plate.. but now they are going with the stock clutch..
beers
Last edited by swoope; 01-08-2008 at 10:57 PM.
01-08-2008, 09:59 PM
#28
Buzz Buzz Buzz
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All cars have their design flaws, as anything made to a budget does.
01-08-2008, 11:03 PM
#29
Then it goes back to size.............
If your a big man chances are you are not sitting correctly. You are trying to fit in the car like not having your head hit the roof.
If your a big man chances are you are not sitting correctly. You are trying to fit in the car like not having your head hit the roof.
01-09-2008, 12:13 AM
#32
Hmmmmmm.........
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Yes size probably does matter, but thats leverage not force, hence most peoples ascertion that "fat" big is the problem is wrong.
Anyway, on swoopes point and following my own, I believe the LHD cars actually have more room to the left of the clutch pedal, which possible allows more lateral movement of the pedal. Our RHD cars get the benefit of the transmission tunnel supporting our leg in the upright position. Pure speculation!
swoope, were you wanting a pic of all three pedals plus some extra on the sides?
Cheers
Andrew
Anyway, on swoopes point and following my own, I believe the LHD cars actually have more room to the left of the clutch pedal, which possible allows more lateral movement of the pedal. Our RHD cars get the benefit of the transmission tunnel supporting our leg in the upright position. Pure speculation!
swoope, were you wanting a pic of all three pedals plus some extra on the sides?
Cheers
Andrew
01-09-2008, 12:22 AM
#33
Yes size probably does matter, but thats leverage not force, hence most peoples ascertion that "fat" big is the problem is wrong.
Anyway, on swoopes point and following my own, I believe the LHD cars actually have more room to the left of the clutch pedal, which possible allows more lateral movement of the pedal. Our RHD cars get the benefit of the transmission tunnel supporting our leg in the upright position. Pure speculation!
swoope, were you wanting a pic of all three pedals plus some extra on the sides?
Cheers
Andrew
Anyway, on swoopes point and following my own, I believe the LHD cars actually have more room to the left of the clutch pedal, which possible allows more lateral movement of the pedal. Our RHD cars get the benefit of the transmission tunnel supporting our leg in the upright position. Pure speculation!
swoope, were you wanting a pic of all three pedals plus some extra on the sides?
Cheers
Andrew
what you have is fine.
the only way i can think of to check would be to measure how far off the centerline of the seat the clutch pedal center is...
beers
scott
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