Lightening the pedals

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Twinnie

Member
Posts
94
Location
Morocco
So I know about the LOF clutches kit to lighten the clutch pedal so that you can depress it with just one finger. What about the other pedals? My brake and accelerator are still really heavy. I spent about eight hours driving the other weekend and it constantly felt like the accelerator was fighting me the whole time and it makes my whole back ache after a while.
 
So I know about the LOF clutches kit to lighten the clutch pedal so that you can depress it with just one finger. What about the other pedals? My brake and accelerator are still really heavy. I spent about eight hours driving the other weekend and it constantly felt like the accelerator was fighting me the whole time and it makes my whole back ache after a while.


What vehicle?

Accelerator pedal shouldn’t ‘fight’ you. It may have a grimey cable, you could start by either replacing and making sure that the routing is smooth with no sharp curves etc.

brake pedal should be easy to press tbh if it isn’t then there is an issue with your servo assistance that you need to address
 
Also pedal height so you are not lifting your leg so much, especially with the accelerator. As above, something is not right, get it working right first.
 
The vehicle is a 2000 110 TD5. The accelerator fights me in that it feels like the spring is strong and it takes a lot of effort to push it, it has no problem returning. I’m comparing it to a modern car here. My Qashqai is really light and it’s really easy to press.

I would basically say all my pedals are as heavy as the clutch. Does that sound right or is it wrong?
 
Its a 20 year old land rover. It wont feel like a modern car.

@lightning I believe has a mod for the throttle pedal to make it lighter.

The brakes are what they are, i find my pedal similar to that of my dads L322
 
The vehicle is a 2000 110 TD5. The accelerator fights me in that it feels like the spring is strong and it takes a lot of effort to push it, it has no problem returning. I’m comparing it to a modern car here. My Qashqai is really light and it’s really easy to press.

I would basically say all my pedals are as heavy as the clutch. Does that sound right or is it wrong?
Sounds wrong to me.
This isn't as daft as it first sounds. Do you have any matting in the footwell and has it ridden up the bulkhead and under the accelerator pedal? The angle of the footwell is handy in helping floor coverings to ride up as you shuffle your feet.
 
Sounds wrong to me.
This isn't as daft as it first sounds. Do you have any matting in the footwell and has it ridden up the bulkhead and under the accelerator pedal? The angle of the footwell is handy in helping floor coverings to ride up as you shuffle your feet.
Thanks for the reply. It’s a County so it does have all the sound deadening stuff and I did have it out to install a load of MLV but I’m 99% sure it’s not causing any issues.
Honestly though, it’s not entirely that it’s hard to push down, it’s that it’s trying to push my foot back up. So I understand the throttle pedal is connected to a cable, and there’s a spring behind the pedal that pushes it back up when I take my foot off. I actually just thought there would be a weaker spring out there I could buy, or something like you can buy in the LOF clutch kit. As for the brake, something being up with the servo seems totally possible. I know it’s a 20 year old work vehicle but there’s an aftermarket solution for the heavy clutch so I figured why not for the other pedals. I really need to get behind the wheel of a well maintained TD5 to figure out what’s wrong with mine.
 
Thanks for the reply. It’s a County so it does have all the sound deadening stuff and I did have it out to install a load of MLV but I’m 99% sure it’s not causing any issues.
Honestly though, it’s not entirely that it’s hard to push down, it’s that it’s trying to push my foot back up. So I understand the throttle pedal is connected to a cable, and there’s a spring behind the pedal that pushes it back up when I take my foot off. I actually just thought there would be a weaker spring out there I could buy, or something like you can buy in the LOF clutch kit. As for the brake, something being up with the servo seems totally possible. I know it’s a 20 year old work vehicle but there’s an aftermarket solution for the heavy clutch so I figured why not for the other pedals. I really need to get behind the wheel of a well maintained TD5 to figure out what’s wrong with mine.
Mine is a 25 year old work vehicle and the accelerator doesn't push my foot back up. Your accelerator may have an adjustable bolt on the back of it. Is it pushing on your MLV?
 
Td5 isn't throttle cable, its electronically controlled. And mine is very very easy to press or control. Something doesn't sound right with that and the brake pedal to me. Does the brake pedal sink on start up? Or hiss as its using up the vacuum when depressed and engine isn't running?
 
The throttle pedal isn't connected to a cable, it's electronic.
There are two springs on the pedal pivot and the way to lighten the pedal action is to re-drill the hole for one of the springs so it reduces the tension.
The clutch can be made around 30% lighter by removing the pedal return spring and fitting a small kit as in the link below.
This makes quite a difference and is enough for most people.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284165850376
 
Td5 isn't throttle cable, its electronically controlled. And mine is very very easy to press or control. Something doesn't sound right with that and the brake pedal to me. Does the brake pedal sink on start up? Or hiss as its using up the vacuum when depressed and engine isn't running?
I should have known that :rolleyes: Defo rabbit off
 
This picture shows the new hole you have to drill for the spring on the throttle pedal.
It can be done without removing the pedal if you have a fairly compact cordless drill (and a new 3.5mm drill bit....it's a double thickness of steel plate)

upload_2021-3-1_23-15-7.jpeg
 
Thanks for all the info. I’m gonna be reading this thread a few times and probably just buying a new throttle pedal ready for when I get my Defender back. I’ll buy myself a LOF clutch kit and look into things to investigate with the brake servo and I’ll throw it onto the pile of jobs that need doing. I’m just glad to know that I shouldn’t be having such a hard time as I have a lot of driving ahead of me.
 
Thanks for all the info. I’m gonna be reading this thread a few times and probably just buying a new throttle pedal ready for when I get my Defender back. I’ll buy myself a LOF clutch kit and look into things to investigate with the brake servo and I’ll throw it onto the pile of jobs that need doing. I’m just glad to know that I shouldn’t be having such a hard time as I have a lot of driving ahead of me.

no you shouldn’t, something is deffo up.
Ask for help, start a new thread in the specific section for your problem and I am sure the collective knowledge on the forum can work it out.
 
Don't buy a new throttle pedal, they don't get heavier with age, the new one will be the same, carry out the modification l detailed above.
Unless you have a very weak left leg the clutch assist spring will make all the difference you need, at a saving of over £400 on the servo conversion.

A new clutch will also improve matters if it's done over 100,000 miles, but try the spring modification first.
It's fitted as standard to the 300tdi and Puma Defenders but not the TD5 for some reason.
Once the pedal gets half way down, the spring goes over centre and actually assists you in pressing the pedal down.
 
The throttle pedal isn't connected to a cable, it's electronic.
There are two springs on the pedal pivot and the way to lighten the pedal action is to re-drill the hole for one of the springs so it reduces the tension.
The clutch can be made around 30% lighter by removing the pedal return spring and fitting a small kit as in the link below.
This makes quite a difference and is enough for most people.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284165850376

Was just about to ask if this worked on a 300tdi and there you go @lightning answering it further on..

Does it work on older 90 / defender ?
 
Was just about to ask if this worked on a 300tdi and there you go @lightning answering it further on..

Does it work on older 90 / defender ?

If you are on about the clutch mod, then it depends on which clutch pedal you have fitted. One is a folded/pressed steel style, the mod can’t be done on this type, the other is a “flat bar” type, the mod can be done on this type. My 1992 200TDi has the pressed/folded type.
 
If you are on about the clutch mod, then it depends on which clutch pedal you have fitted. One is a folded/pressed steel style, the mod can’t be done on this type, the other is a “flat bar” type, the mod can be done on this type. My 1992 200TDi has the pressed/folded type.


Will have a look at mine, take a pic and post it then you can advise me which i have mate, if you wouldnt mind
 
Will have a look at mine, take a pic and post it then you can advise me which i have mate, if you wouldnt mind

No I don’t mind. I have found these two photos showing the different styles.

Older folded style, can’t be modded with the spring in this thread, not sure about the LOF master cylinder fitting.
upload_2021-3-3_19-1-50.jpeg


Newer style flat bar type, this one can be modded with the springs and can fit the LOF master.
 
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