Heavy Gas Pedal
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
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From: Irvine Scotland
C220 CDI Sport Estate & 1986 Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera & 2003 Triumph Sprint ST & 2010 Triumph America
You are not alone, I did a 400 mile round trip at the weekend and had aches in my leg several times. On returning home decided to have a look. These cars are drive by wire and only have a potentiometer on the pedal, there is no mechanical linkage or cables. So I removed the complete pedal, took off the side cover to find two identical large return springs, removed the outer spring and rebuilt/refitted the pedal. Heaven!! the pedal is now lighter and made an allready pleasureable driving experience even better. Whole job only took 15 minutes, try it the difference is incredible.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
You are not alone, I did a 400 mile round trip at the weekend and had aches in my leg several times. On returning home decided to have a look. These cars are drive by wire and only have a potentiometer on the pedal, there is no mechanical linkage or cables. So I removed the complete pedal, took off the side cover to find two identical large return springs, removed the outer spring and rebuilt/refitted the pedal. Heaven!! the pedal is now lighter and made an allready pleasureable driving experience even better. Whole job only took 15 minutes, try it the difference is incredible.
Maybe a heavy steel toe cap could be used for long trips.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Irvine, CA
GLE 450 2021, SLK 350 2013, Honda Civc Type R 2019, Suzuki GSXR 750 2014, Ducati Diavel 2018
Maybe you could adjust your seat closer or farther from the pedal. Try adjusting your seat so that your entire foot rests on the pedal so that you can have more surface area to apply pressure from your foot to the pedal. It should feel more comfortable than having just your ball of your feet pressing the gas pedal.
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21
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From: Irvine Scotland
C220 CDI Sport Estate & 1986 Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera & 2003 Triumph Sprint ST & 2010 Triumph America
Hi Carsy/supacrazykev,
Tried all the seat adjusting options, no good pedal was still heavy. And who in there wright mind would drive in heavy steel toe caps? Anyway the springs are way over engineered believe me I'm a Mech Tech in the oil and gas industry.
Tried all the seat adjusting options, no good pedal was still heavy. And who in there wright mind would drive in heavy steel toe caps? Anyway the springs are way over engineered believe me I'm a Mech Tech in the oil and gas industry.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Ron - dealers do exactly as you did for those who find the DBW pedal a little heavy. Don't throw the spring away. The other one will soften over time with fatigue.
EDIT - to others that do this. Don't mess with the hall effect sensor - now glued in place.
EDIT - to others that do this. Don't mess with the hall effect sensor - now glued in place.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Oct 30, 2009 at 06:51 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21
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From: Irvine Scotland
C220 CDI Sport Estate & 1986 Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera & 2003 Triumph Sprint ST & 2010 Triumph America
Thanks Glyn,
Its so refreshing so see someone else who knows what they are talking about. Pity you are so far away I would enjoy sharing a beer with you.
Its so refreshing so see someone else who knows what they are talking about. Pity you are so far away I would enjoy sharing a beer with you.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Me too - we oil industry types have a fair idea of things automotive - see my profile - it's not rocket science 
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From: eNyCe
Steel Grey Metallic C63!!
I recommend you do some leg exercises OR move your seat closer so you're not sitting "GANGSTA" style like you're lying down and too far away from the steering wheel. :-P
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Well there is a groundswell of thinking that considers using cruise control is as dangerous as talking on a cell phone when driving. My old company won't allow people with company cars to use cruise control & your good old Smiths defensive driving courses in the US now recommend against it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Well there is a groundswell of thinking that considers using cruise control is as dangerous as talking on a cell phone when driving. My old company won't allow people with company cars to use cruise control & your good old Smiths defensive driving courses in the US now recommend against it.
