3320 - Reinstalling Forward/Reverse Pedals

[Chris Gurciullo]

I had to remove the forward/reverse pedals to fix a broken linkage (long story). Now I can't seem to get them back in. The problem is that there is a spring that goes on each pedal arm and a bolt/pin that goes through the two pedal arms and the frame that hold them in place. Those springs twist everything around so it's impossible to line up the pin (I can install the pedal arms easily if I don't put the springs on - but then my pedals fall to the floor).

I know it's hard to explain - but if you've worked on that part of the tractor I think you can follow what I am saying. I feel really dumb - is there some trick to getting them back in place? Space is so limited in there I can't get a good grip or get clamp in there to line things up...

Chris

 

[arlen4720]

Doesn't the whole assembly come off? That might be easier, if you can take the whole unit off and put it together on the bench.

 

[jenkinsph]

Have you tried installing the pedals and blocking them up, while blocked up stretch and hook the springs on?

 

[Chris Gurciullo]

Oddly, the only way to get the whole pedal assembly off seems to be to remove the rubber floormat, then the entire plastic floor pan. The bolt heads for the assembly are sandwiched between that green plastic floor pan and the main structural frame. If it was designed with the bolts going in the opposite way .... Yes removing the assembly would be easy.

Re: blocking - that's usually how i do this type of thing, but these springs dont have that kind of flex. If i put the pedals on without hooking the springs up first, there just isnt enough clearance to pop the springs into their retaining holes... Its not a matter of force - i would just bend the springs to the point of no return.

 

[drizler]

No idea about your situation directly but I do sympathize as I am fresh off another brake job yesterday and hate drums, especially the little ones like Hondas ect. I always hate springs in small tight areas. Have you tried small long nose Vise Grips 6" size. That's what I use for the horrible close tolerance shoes. With Grips I can get all that lateral force needed without slippage. Of course Chinese Vise grips are worse than useless more so with them than any other tool I can think of. Other times notching the blade of your unfavorite Chinese POS large screwdriver can work. I rarely use safety glasses but do when it comes to springs, the little ***** just always end up flying to the weirdest places at mach 6.

 

[jenkinsph]

Oddly, the only way to get the whole pedal assembly off seems to be to remove the rubber floormat, then the entire plastic floor pan. The bolt heads for the assembly are sandwiched between that green plastic floor pan and the main structural frame. If it was designed with the bolts going in the opposite way .... Yes removing the assembly would be easy.

Re: blocking - that's usually how i do this type of thing, but these springs dont have that kind of flex. If i put the pedals on without hooking the springs up first, there just isnt enough clearance to pop the springs into their retaining holes... Its not a matter of force - i would just bend the springs to the point of no return.

Gotta be a way to do it. Can you unhook the springs on the other end, hook up your pedals and then rehook the loose ends?

 

[jenkinsph]

No idea about your situation directly but I do sympathize as I am fresh off another brake job yesterday and hate drums, especially the little ones like Hondas ect. I always hate springs in small tight areas. Have you tried small long nose Vise Grips 6" size. That's what I use for the horrible close tolerance shoes. With Grips I can get all that lateral force needed without slippage. Of course Chinese Vise grips are worse than useless more so with them than any other tool I can think of. Other times notching the blade of your unfavorite Chinese POS large screwdriver can work. I rarely use safety glasses but do when it comes to springs, the little ***** just always end up flying to the weirdest places at mach 6.

I know the feeling, I have a nice Proto brake spring pliers that I haven't used in 15 years or better. I am not complaining about it either.

 

[Chris Gurciullo]

Just to close this out:

If you need to replace the forward/reverse pedals the way to do it is from ABOVE. Much easier than other options. Pop up the plastic tabs on the rubber floor mat and remove it. Then remove the green metal floorpan (about a dozen 15 mm bolts hold it in). You can then remove the three bolts that are between that floorplan and the pedal assembly. With the assembly out you can easily replace the pedal arms and springs.