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· Super Moderator
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Discussion Starter · #1 · (Edited)
On the way home from running an errand, the accelerator linkage primary pivot rod in my Kadett snapped off at the firewall mounting. This is a one piece linkage item spot-welded in place at the factory, so it's basically "non-replaceable".



So, what to do to fix it? Here's my solution.
 

· Super Moderator
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Discussion Starter · #2 · (Edited)
My solution . . .

Fabricate new threaded 6mm rod from Manta/1900 carb-side accelerator rod: trimmed, grooved to retain clip and threaded to insert into drilled (5mm) and tapped (6M1.0 threaded) hole in original mounting post.

I found it very interesting that the Manta/1900 carb-side accelerator linkage pivot rod was exactly the same 6mm diameter as that of the broken Kadett pivot bar! Maybe it's a coincidence, but it sure simplified the fabrication and threading (6M1.0 die) of the new pivot bar and drilling (5mm) and tapping (6M1.0) of the original mounting post!







Looks factory!! Works great!
 

· long time Opeler
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I'm not totally sure how it works. But looks like,(from your picture) You might be able to use some type of " threading" a new piece. I'm not familiar with the Kadetts. But hope this helps in some way
 

· Super Moderator
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Discussion Starter · #4 ·
Kadett linkage pivot

Saw that Kadetts were well represented at Carlisle this year according to John Grosh's report this morning. Now that members have had a chance to return home, thought I'd bump my post on this Kadett related problem and my solution for it. Maybe it'll help someone or at least give them an idea where to start with a similar problem.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that the hole drilled comes through directly behind the brake stop switch, so be careful when you drill through!
 

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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
Kadett/GT Mechanical Linkage pivots and ball/socket lube

Couldn't help but notice how much smoother the whole accelerator linkage system operated after the forced rebuild described in post #1 and #2. Realized that it was in great part due to lubrication of all the mechanical pivot points in the linkage. Binding of primary pivot link could've contributed to failure in the first place!

NOTICE!! to all Kadett and GT owners: Clean and lubricate all mechanical accelerator linkage pivots and ball/socket joints at least once a year! . . . easy to do, just as easy to overlook!
 

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Discussion Starter · #6 · (Edited)
Accelerator pedal main pivot linkage

I've been doing some more prelim work to prep my Kadett for the upcoming 'sprint' installation. I was checking the accelerator linkage that's going to stay in the car when I do the switch from the Solex to the twin DFOs and noticed that the main pivot bracket actuated by the accel pedal had a bit more slop in it than I wanted, even though the pivot bar was replaced after failure (post #1) a few months ago.

Took a closer look at the pivot bracket and saw that the pivot hole was a bit out of round, probably contributing to that earlier failure. Even though well greased, this link would slightly bind at times and cause the accelerator pedal to hang up somewhat . . . not a good thing in view of my change to dual carbs in the near term.

Went to my favorite hardware store and rummaged through the section where they keep all their "odds 'n ends" . . . rifled through the bushings box and found a thinwall bronze bushing of exactly the right length and ID (.25"/6.35mm) required to "bush" the bracket pivot back to proper, round size . . . pivot bar is 6mm OD, remember, for .014" clearance. PERFECT!!

Hurried back home, trued up the bracket on my drill press for align boring the hole for the bushing and "step-drilled" it up to the size required for pressing the bushing. Lubed it up and reinstalled everything . . . smooth as a baby's behind now!

 

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Discussion Starter · #7 ·
Recommended!

Wow, just took it for a spin . . . noticeable improvement, much smoother action! :bigok:

Any Kadett owners out there, well recommended change . . . worth at least a serious look! :yup:
 

· Super Moderator
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5,299 Posts
Discussion Starter · #8 · (Edited)
No slop at all now!

I've been doing some more prelim work to prep my Kadett for the upcoming 'sprint' installation. I was checking the remaining pieces of the accelerator linkage that's going to stay in the car when I do the switch from the Solex to the twin DFOs and noticed that the main pivot bracket actuated by the accel pedal had a bit more slop in it than I wanted, even though the pivot bar was replaced after failure (post #1) a few months ago.

Took a closer look at the pivot bracket and saw that the pivot hole was a bit out of round, probably contributing to that earlier failure. Even though well greased, this link would slightly bind at times and cause the accelerator pedal to hang up somewhat . . . not a good thing in view of my change to dual carbs in the near term.

Went to my favorite hardware store and rummaged through the section where they keep all their "odds 'n ends" . . . rifled through the bushings box and found a thinwall bronze bushing of exactly the right length and ID (.25"/6.35mm) required to "bush" the bracket pivot back to proper, round size . . . pivot bar is 6mm OD, remember, for .014" clearance. PERFECT!!

Hurried back home, trued up the bracket on my drill press for align boring the hole for the bushing and "step-drilled" it up to the size required for pressing the bushing. Lubed it up and reinstalled everything . . . smooth as a baby's behind now!

*image*
. . . and a quick picture to show it installed in my Kadett . . . no slop now at all now!

 

· Super Moderator
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5,299 Posts
Discussion Starter · #9 · (Edited)
Upon further review . . .

. . . pivot bar is 6mm OD, remember, for .014" clearance. PERFECT!!

Hurried back home, trued up the bracket on my drill press for align boring the hole for the bushing and "step-drilled" it up to the size required for pressing the bushing. Lubed it up and reinstalled everything . . . smooth as a baby's behind now!

. . . and a quick picture to show it installed in my Kadett . . . no slop at all now!

Well, not exactly . . . and now that my Kadett sprint is back on the road, I found I still wasn't quite satisfied with my earlier accelerator linkage main pivot bar repair. The pivot bar was made from 6mm OD rod and my later addition of the 1/4" bronze "oilite" bushing to the pivot bracket resulted in smoother function, but with a tad more clearance than I liked for the long term - 6.35mm bushing on 6mm shaft = 0.35mm clearance . . . still a bit too sloppy for me.

Took new measurements of the installed pivot bar, designed a replacement with the correct OD for proper 6.35mm bracket bushing clearance and fabricated it on a lathe . . .



. . . here's a comparison pic of both my original 6mm pivot shaft fix fabricated with stuff on hand at the time and the corrected 6.34mm shaft made on a lathe to replace it . . .

 
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