Santro: Return spring for Accelerator and brake pedal?

ajith · 31st March 2008, 08:14

Hi All,

I own a 4 year old Santro Xing. Having driven an Indica recently I realized the need to add a return spring to the accelerator and the brake pedals to reduce the strain on my ankle when driving long distances. Having looked at the brackets for the pedals, i couldn't think of a simple way to fit one. If somebody has done this before, i would appreciate some photographs of the mod so i can plan one accordingly.

Ajith

Jaggu · 31st March 2008, 11:20

are you sure it doesnt have one in the first place? I think that all cars have em, might be hidden thats all.

ajith · 31st March 2008, 11:41

Will post pics of what the existing setup looks like later today when i can get to the camera. There is one. It is just piddly and they haven't included room there for anything stronger.

Jaggu · 31st March 2008, 13:13

That can be true, they have kept it piddly to make the clutch pedal light to actuate.

Options you can try:
add one more of the piddly springs.
source a better spring.
add another spring at the gear box end on the clutch cable.

ram_hyundai · 31st March 2008, 15:33

If you have a tighter spring it wont be comfortable for you to drive as the force required to push it would be more.So just check for the original spring and its tension and if its worn out replace it.
ram

ajith · 31st March 2008, 16:17

The spring is so weak that i am spending too much energy to hold my feet in the air. It has always been that way.

Jaggu, I am ok with the clutch. It is the accelerator and the brake pedals that i have trouble with.
Though not an option for the brakes, I did consider adding a spring at the other end for the accelerator cable. However, this would be an unnecessary strain on the control cable. Will only go that way if i can't avoid it.
Let me get those pics. I am sure that would be better than explaining.

Sankar · 31st March 2008, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajith

The spring is so weak that i am spending too much energy to hold my feet in the air. It has always been that way.

Oh! So thats the problem.. hehehe

Well a super strong spring with enough strength to support the weight of your leg would be a bad idea because then you would have lower leg & knee pain trying to push the throttle.

And ideally one should not rest the leg on the throttle. Rest your heel on the floor and use the toes to dab the throttle. That way you won't feel the strain of having to hold your feet in the air.

ajith · 1st April 2008, 12:14

Here are some pics of what it is like currently
ajith_k/Santro Pedals - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

ajith · 1st April 2008, 12:18

The promised pics.

Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

Jaggu · 1st April 2008, 12:44

did u weld and extend the acc pedal by any chance???? i would say bad idea, your pedal seem to be at too horizontal an angle for comfort, it should be more vertical so that toe end part of your foot stays on the pedal and heel rests on the floor.

As far as tightening the existing set up, i suggest you try tempering the spring (careful it can break also, so carry a spare in hand)

On second thought, try increasing the load on spring by bending the lever.

Also you can try a diff pedal design, similar to those in Fiats (1100) where the pedal rests on the floor and the top end can move the throttle lever.

ram_hyundai · 1st April 2008, 12:56

I am sure the pedals of santro is not this horizontal.It maybe due to the photo angle or some one has played with it.Or did you slam it that hard buddie,lol.
ram

svsantosh · 1st April 2008, 13:06

ajit, before you get into body work and welding, try some sedans, eg- TATA cars are built like a truck, try some springs from those cars clutch pedals, and try to fit them in your accelarator pedals, may work, you never know. Well if you want to go more extreme, try to get a Enfield Bullet's Center Stand Srping and take your santro;s mechanic to help you out. Any of the idea;s above may not cost you more than 50-100Rs. PS - both car and bike parts are easily available in JC road, Bangalore.

ajith · 1st April 2008, 14:44

Jaggu, they are totally stock. No modifications. The camera is nearly at floor level. The Tata car springs are straight unlike the circular springs you see here.

Jaggu · 1st April 2008, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajith

Jaggu, they are totally stock. No modifications. The camera is nearly at floor level. The Tata car springs are straight unlike the circular springs you see here.

post a 3 D image

What are those weld job/mark then, did that came with the car?

ajith · 1st April 2008, 17:34

yeah. not very pretty eh?

31st March 2008, 08:14	#1
ajith BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India Posts: 29 Thanked: 3 Times	Santro: Return spring for Accelerator and brake pedal? Hi All, I own a 4 year old Santro Xing. Having driven an Indica recently I realized the need to add a return spring to the accelerator and the brake pedals to reduce the strain on my ankle when driving long distances. Having looked at the brackets for the pedals, i couldn't think of a simple way to fit one. If somebody has done this before, i would appreciate some photographs of the mod so i can plan one accordingly. Ajith
	() Thanks

31st March 2008, 11:20	#2
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	are you sure it doesnt have one in the first place? I think that all cars have em, might be hidden thats all.
	() Thanks

31st March 2008, 11:41	#3
ajith BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India Posts: 29 Thanked: 3 Times	Will post pics of what the existing setup looks like later today when i can get to the camera. There is one. It is just piddly and they haven't included room there for anything stronger.
	() Thanks

31st March 2008, 13:13	#4
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	That can be true, they have kept it piddly to make the clutch pedal light to actuate. Options you can try: add one more of the piddly springs. source a better spring. add another spring at the gear box end on the clutch cable.
	() Thanks

31st March 2008, 15:33	#5
ram_hyundai Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calicut ,trisur Posts: 2,020 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	If you have a tighter spring it wont be comfortable for you to drive as the force required to push it would be more.So just check for the original spring and its tension and if its worn out replace it. ram
	() Thanks

31st March 2008, 16:17	#6
ajith BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India Posts: 29 Thanked: 3 Times	The spring is so weak that i am spending too much energy to hold my feet in the air. It has always been that way. Jaggu, I am ok with the clutch. It is the accelerator and the brake pedals that i have trouble with. Though not an option for the brakes, I did consider adding a spring at the other end for the accelerator cable. However, this would be an unnecessary strain on the control cable. Will only go that way if i can't avoid it. Let me get those pics. I am sure that would be better than explaining.
	() Thanks

1st April 2008, 12:14	#8
ajith BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India Posts: 29 Thanked: 3 Times	Here are some pics of what it is like currently ajith_k/Santro Pedals - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
	() Thanks

1st April 2008, 12:18	#9
ajith BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India Posts: 29 Thanked: 3 Times	The promised pics. Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket
	() Thanks

1st April 2008, 12:44	#10
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	did u weld and extend the acc pedal by any chance???? i would say bad idea, your pedal seem to be at too horizontal an angle for comfort, it should be more vertical so that toe end part of your foot stays on the pedal and heel rests on the floor. As far as tightening the existing set up, i suggest you try tempering the spring (careful it can break also, so carry a spare in hand) On second thought, try increasing the load on spring by bending the lever. Also you can try a diff pedal design, similar to those in Fiats (1100) where the pedal rests on the floor and the top end can move the throttle lever. Last edited by Jaggu : 1st April 2008 at 12:55.
	() Thanks

1st April 2008, 12:56	#11
ram_hyundai Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calicut ,trisur Posts: 2,020 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	I am sure the pedals of santro is not this horizontal.It maybe due to the photo angle or some one has played with it.Or did you slam it that hard buddie,lol. ram
	() Thanks

1st April 2008, 13:06	#12
svsantosh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dubai Posts: 4,006 Thanked: 6,348 Times View My Garage	ajit, before you get into body work and welding, try some sedans, eg- TATA cars are built like a truck, try some springs from those cars clutch pedals, and try to fit them in your accelarator pedals, may work, you never know. Well if you want to go more extreme, try to get a Enfield Bullet's Center Stand Srping and take your santro;s mechanic to help you out. Any of the idea;s above may not cost you more than 50-100Rs. PS - both car and bike parts are easily available in JC road, Bangalore.
	() Thanks

1st April 2008, 14:44	#13
ajith BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India Posts: 29 Thanked: 3 Times	Jaggu, they are totally stock. No modifications. The camera is nearly at floor level. The Tata car springs are straight unlike the circular springs you see here.
	() Thanks

1st April 2008, 17:34	#15
ajith BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India Posts: 29 Thanked: 3 Times	yeah. not very pretty eh?
	() Thanks