Gas pedal linkage help

[mcjweller]

Hello! I have a '64 beetle, trying to sort out the gas pedal linkage. In the pic you will see the linkage rod, with a washer where it passes through the gas pedal linkage tab, and a spring on the other side. The rod has a groove in the end that corresponds to a built-in retainer in the spring (bottom coil shaped like a clip to positively lock into this groove).

You can pump the gas pedal twice, maybe three times before the spring launches into orbit and the linkage falls out.

What am I missing

?

[zerotofifty]

a closer zoomed in image of the spring in the groove, perhaps from different camera angles maybe helpful for seeing the problem Is the groove in the arm cut deep enough?

once repaired, I suggest a bit of grease for the moving parts of the arm to assure longevity and smooth operation. I dont see any grease

here is one..

Perhaps the spring that retains the z link bar needs to be hooked over the other side of the grooved end? that spring should be under torsional tension when installed correctly, never should it be loose.

on yours the right angle bracket through which the z link is attached may need to be bent outward a bit, as that bracket is not parallel to the washer on the z link. it looks like it is not bent correctly, thus the z link and spring does not stick through the hole in the bracket far enough to allow good spring engagement? with some pliers, hold that bracket and bend it towards he tunnel some. that will allow the z link to be inserted further into the bracket, and thus allow more room for the spring and allow the spring end to engage in the groove fully. Yours appear to have gotten bent away from the tunnel, such that the z link cant protrude far enough through the bracket to allow full engagement of the spring into the z link spring groove.

note on your photograph that that bracket is not fully resting on the z link washer. that bracket should be parallel to the washer so that the washer makes full contact as in the photograph I provided.
so bend the bracket that is part of the pedal towards the tunnel some.

that is what appears to be the issue based what I see in your photo.

you may also try a thinner washer there, or perhaps file the crimps on the z link such that the washer sits further onto the z link, thus allowing the z link to protrude through the bracket further.

Bottom line is that something(s) is causing the z link to not protrude far enough thru the pedal bracket, thus not giving enough space for the spring to fully seat in the groove on the end of the z link. A thinner washer, file the crimps on the z link so washer is seated further on the z link, and /or bending the bracket that is on the pedal towards the tunnel will allow more stick through of the z link through the bracket, thus giving more room for the spring, so that the end of the spring can fully seat into the groove.
_________________
Sorry About That Chief.

Give Peace a Chance.

Words to live by.

[OldSchoolVW's]

[Dougy Dee]

Try bending the pedal bracket tab to better match the Zbar angle. Possibly using a thinner washer will allow the retainer spring to engage securely and/or remove the washer.

[KTPhil]

Worn parts, misalignment, burrs... the tiniest faults can muck up the action of the older pedal design.

You can see in your photo that little is aligned, and there is play that should be eliminated with thin washers. Once it is cocked a bit, it jams or wears out. That sloppiness is putting forces on that spring it can't withstand. But you knew that.

I cobbled together new and old parts, deburred, files, bent, and shimmed for a couple of hours to get it right. Even the pedal pivot itself is usually bent out of alignment.

It's a PITA, but worth it to spend half a day on the damn thing, then lube it lightly so it doesn't attract dirt and dust that will wear it out prematurely.
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[Bub]

IMHO there is no better time spent than totally ditching that crazy system and making something that works.
#1- the rigid "wire" throttle cable is already screwing you. When those are coiled up for storage and shipping they end up 'spring loaded' and do not like to be in a straight line. No cure for that, it's a bent wire now and adds to spring tension all down the length of it and causes very inconsistent throttle return action.
Get a later 'cable' for starters. I know, not you exact problem, but really .

#2- just forget the wobbly pedal, bracket, rod and everything. Get a decent roller pedal, like from an oval window and a 'cruiser pedal'.
There is NO LINKAGE between the two- just one simple connection from the roller arm to the cable, and back at the carb.
That alone makes it 400% better.

If you want it even better- you can make an adjustable 'barrel' type clamp setup same as at the carb, and use it at the front.
There is almost no worse throttle pedal setup than the 60's VW invention in the world. You can make it as good as any brand new car, you really barely even need a throttle return spring if you set it up properly.
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[KTPhil]

Rollers are preferred by some, hated by others. Try one before jumping on board.
I likes the later pedal with the roller behind it, but I don't believe that can be retrofitted, so I made the best I could of the original. Keep all original parts, as replacements are often poorly made.
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[zerotofifty]

Stock pedal for me works great. Me thinks all is needed in this instance is a bit of a bend of the pedal bracket through which the z link is attached to. Make that bracket dead parallel to the washer on the z link, then you should be AOK. Easy peasy.
_________________
Sorry About That Chief.

Give Peace a Chance.

Words to live by.

[KTPhil]

New Z-bars often have poorly formed "ears" which are just crimps to the round stock. Often that is where the play/friction starts unless you spend quality time with a file and shims.
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[thomas.]

?[/quote]

To me it looks like the metal needs bended back to a 90 degree angle like it is on the opposite side. Then that spring holder won't be all bunched up.

[mcjweller]

Excellent suggestions, thanks for all who chimed in. I wanted to be sure first, that I wasn't missing something to help hold it together. I didn't think I was and it seems like I'm right.

I'll need to play around with it I guess.

I like the idea of adopting a newer set-up...but that's not right now. This thing has been in my garage for 3 years, precisely 2 years and 6 months longer than it was supposed to, and its gotta get out!