How to adjust brake pedal

[zygotesoup]

I've seen a bunch of threads that say that you can adjust the pedal so its higher and more in line w/ the gas pedal for H/T shifting, but none of them really tell you HOW to adjust it.

I saw one that recommended tightening a bolt on a bushing but I wouldn't want to crush the bushing.

That plus I can't bring myself to spend $150 on a tiny piece of aluminum for the sector111 HNT pad.

So... is there a write up on exactly how to adjust the brake pedal or can someone explain how?

[TheViper]

Pedal adjustment for heel'n'toeing
Brake pedal travel ?
Cheers,
Michael

[zygotesoup]

Originally Posted by TheViper

Pedal adjustment for heel'n'toeing
Brake pedal travel ?
Cheers,
Michael

hey thanks for the links! This is the description from one of the threads for anyone who is curious:

"
* From the manual section JJ: "Adjustment Throttle cable:
- The pedal is pulled against a rubber buffer on a steel upstop bracket by an extension spring.
- Adjust the cable outer length at the engine end abutment bracket to allow 2 - 3mm of pedal movement
before the throttle is actuated.
- Set the downstop in the pedal footpad such that vigorous full depression of the pedal achieves full
opening of the throttle butterfly without allowing the cable to be strained.
- An alternative pedal position which may be preferred for 'heel and toeing' may be achieved by replacing
the rubber upstop buffer with a M5x15 hex. head setscrew, with three flat washers beneath the head for a
total thickness of around 7mm. The cable must then be re-adjusted at the engine abutment as above.
The footpad downstop bolt should then be replaced by an M8x20 setscrew and reset as above.
Brake pedal:
- The pedal is pulled 'off' by an extension spring anchored to a bracket rivetted to the scuttle beam.
- There is normally a gap of approximately 3mm between the brake pedal and the pedal box upstop flange
with the pedal released. If preferred, the brake pedal can be raised slightly by adjusting the effective
length of the pushrod at its connection to the clevis, but the master cylinder must never be preloaded, i.e.
there must always be a small clearance between the pedal and upstop bracket to ensure that the master
cylinder piston is allowed fully to return and open the reservoir port.
- After any adjustment, tighten the clevis locknut and check operation of the brake light switch."



This is all very confusing to me. I learn much better from pictures instead of written descriptions, but its better than nothing I suppose.

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by zygotesoup

This is all very confusing to me. I learn much better from pictures instead of written descriptions, but its better than nothing I suppose.

It's pretty easy and should make sense once you've gotten your head down there. Realize that the major adjustment is not raising the brake pedal, but lowering the gas.

[fitfan]

...and you do not want to raise the brake pedal much - a little seems to be fine, a lot could be bad.

[sandsmuseum]

I wrote a description on how to adjust the height. Now you just need to be a contortionist to do it!

Lotus Elise Maintenance, Brake Pedal Height Adjustment

Michael

[zygotesoup]

Originally Posted by sandsmuseum

I wrote a description on how to adjust the height. Now you just need to be a contortionist to do it!

Lotus Elise Maintenance, Brake Pedal Height Adjustment

Michael

oh cool, thanks! this is just what i was looking for. where is the brake light switch located?

[zygotesoup]

holy sh!t... i have officially given up on this godawful mod. after realizing that the only size combination wrench im missing is 17mm, went to one hardware store that didn't have any 17mm wrenches, then i drove to another store and spent $10 on a new one, came back, contorted the crap out of my 6'2, 190lb body to (kind of) fit in the passengers side footwell, holding a flashlight in my mouth while trying to see the lock nut and having virtually no leverage, i am unable to loosen the lock nut and the 10mm nut is impossible to move without adjusting the lock nut. now im sore, angry, $10 poorer, my hand is covered in blood, and my brakes aren't any different than when i started

f#&k it... i give up. does anyone have one of those HNT pads for sale?

[MulhollandMotors]

Originally Posted by zygotesoup

holy sh!t... i have officially given up on this godawful mod. after realizing that the only size combination wrench im missing is 17mm, went to one hardware store that didn't have any 17mm wrenches, then i drove to another store and spent $10 on a new one, came back, contorted the crap out of my 6'2, 190lb body to (kind of) fit in the passengers side footwell, holding a flashlight in my mouth while trying to see the lock nut and having virtually no leverage, i am unable to loosen the lock nut and the 10mm nut is impossible to move without adjusting the lock nut. now im sore, angry, $10 poorer, my hand is covered in blood, and my brakes aren't any different than when i started

f#&k it... i give up. does anyone have one of those HNT pads for sale?

Dont give up!! Its a PITA but not impossible. Try getting at it from the drivers footwell, on your back, with your right leg hanging over the door sill.



YOU CAN DO IT!

[zygotesoup]

Originally Posted by MulhollandMotors

Dont give up!! Its a PITA but not impossible. Try getting at it from the drivers footwell, on your back, with your right leg hanging over the door sill.



YOU CAN DO IT!

i don't even know which way i should be turning the lock nut

[Slipstreamer]

Originally Posted by MulhollandMotors

Dont give up!! Its a PITA but not impossible. Try getting at it from the drivers footwell, on your back, with your right leg hanging over the door sill.



YOU CAN DO IT!

My body isn't as flexible as when I was a little younger, so I had Stephan at Mulholland Motorsports do it for me. Never had a problem with heel & tow before but works better now. Thanks, Stephan!

Awesome shop, Jules!

Tony

[zygotesoup]

Originally Posted by Slipstreamer

My body isn't as flexible as when I was a little younger, so I had Stephan at Mulholland Motorsports do it for me. Never had a problem with heel & tow before but works better now. Thanks, Stephan!

Awesome shop, Jules!

Tony

i dont have a problem w/ heel & toe unless under heavy braking, then the pedal sinks too far down for me to be able to rev match with the right side of my foot

[zygotesoup]

can anyone tell me which direction i am supposed to be turning this lock nut?

[Slipstreamer]

Lefty loosey (counter clockwise, loosening the lock nut first)

[zygotesoup]

Originally Posted by Slipstreamer

Lefty loosey (counter clockwise, loosening the lock nut first)

yea but counter clockwise from which side?

[Slipstreamer]

Originally Posted by zygotesoup

yea but counter clockwise from which side?

Loosen the lock nut clockwise first, then loosen both nuts counter clockwise from the top.

[zygotesoup]

ok, so i managed to get the stupid lock nut loose. now im just having a bitch of a time adjusting the 10mm adjustment shaft. it is so tight down there with pedals, steering shaft etc that you have no maneuverability with the wrench. plus it doesn't seem like you can make that major of an adjustment using this method.

anyway... at least im one step closer... and about a pint of blood lighter. ill have to try again tomorrow.

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by zygotesoup

plus it doesn't seem like you can make that major of an adjustment using this method.

You can't do much with the brake pedal at all. It's the gas pedal that you should be adjusting, per the shop manual. If you set the gas pedal to its lower position, at least in my car, under hard braking the gas and brake are even with each other.

[zygotesoup]

Originally Posted by andykeck

You can't do much with the brake pedal at all. It's the gas pedal that you should be adjusting, per the shop manual. If you set the gas pedal to its lower position, at least in my car, under hard braking the gas and brake are even with each other.

do you have an excerpt from the manual on how to go about adjusting the gas pedal?

(this sector 111 HNT pad is starting to sound like more and more of a bargain)

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by zygotesoup

do you have an excerpt from the manual on how to go about adjusting the gas pedal?

(this sector 111 HNT pad is starting to sound like more and more of a bargain)

You posted it above, but here it is again.

IMO, it's a much better solution that bolting a brick to the brake pedal.