General Throttle return spring

[timgarman]

Hi Folks

Recently the spring in the engine bay that returns the accelerator pedal to the up position finally gouged it's way through the metal arm unnoticed by me, until that is I noticed the result.

Still drivable with care without the spring attached, and we rigged up a temporary piece of wire to fix it. But I just wondered if anyone else has suffered this and what the answer is?

I guess I can drill another hole but think it might happen again. A spot of welding may be necessary.

Any other thoughts?

Tim

 

[F123C]

Hi Tim,

I've always oiled both ends of throttle return springs to minimise wear.
It's possible that vibration also plays a part in wear occuring at the spring ends.

I've sometimes seen this spring actually vibrate at certain rpm's on various engines, some even make a 'zinging' noise as the engine passes throught certain speeds.

In the late '70's, Fiat started to use a small rubber insert in their throttle springs, presumably to dampen vibration.


AL.

 

[the hobbler]

Morning Tim;
I am assuming that that it is the lug on the fan-housing top cover that has worn through. The only sensible way that I can think of curing the problem is to remove the top cover, weld on a new lug and then reinforce the spring hole by brazing (or, if your welder is very good, welding) on a small washer. If it is the 'pivot-arm' that has worn through, the arms are available (Axel Gerstl supplies 2 types---1 that is for the normal 'bent wire' carb link and the 2nd that is for a 'ball-joint' link) but again, it can be repaired by brazing (or welding) on a small washer over the spring hole. I must admit that it is not a problem that I have run into, but I will now check my engine.

 

[gordinir8]

You can always screw with a couple of M3 screws and nut a new lug. I think it will last for another 20 years.

 

[giardini]

"Threading" a compression spring around the exposed part of the cable is also a temporary fix.

 

[Toshi 975]

I had almost the opposite problem whilst on one of my longest trips to deepest Cornwall. The Spring wore through and broke. I pulled Into the Exeter services on the M5 and saw 2 AA men parked up there. Took the offending Spring over to them to see if they might have a replacement. One of the guys just pulled out his pliers and bent one more coil out on the Spring to form a new hook and I was back on the road again. In similar situations to yours I have sometimes used a Spring clip that is designed to wrap around sheet metal and take a self tapping screw. This will grip on, wrap around and use the hole for the Spring.

 

[El cargador]

I had almost the opposite problem whilst on one of my longest trips to deepest Cornwall. The Spring wore through and broke. I pulled Into the Exeter services on the M5 and saw 2 AA men parked up there. Took the offending Spring over to them to see if they might have a replacement. One of the guys just pulled out his pliers and bent one more coil out on the Spring to form a new hook and I was back on the road again. In similar situations to yours I have sometimes used a Spring clip that is designed to wrap around sheet metal and take a self tapping screw. This will grip on, wrap around and use the hole for the Spring.

Toshi many times I've had to do this to shorten or make a spring stronger

 

[F123C]

What a load of bodges and botch-ups! :yuck:



Excuse me while I scribble down all these great tips to use later

AL.

 

[timgarman]

Sorry for late response, but all good advice. I've just wired up a temporary fix.

Thanks folks.