Brake return spring fouling stop lamp switch - S4

[smo17003]

Has anyone had this problem and devised a suitable fix?

The brake pedal return spring attaches to the pedal bracket and at the other end to a small hole in the pedal. The stop lamp switch screws into a small tab on the bracket. On my S4 the spring is actually touching the switch, and almost touching the terminals. The switch is the rectangular version that everyone seems to supply these days, rather than the original cylindrical version. I have the spring attached with the coiled end at the bracket so it is the straight part of the spring that is fouling the switch. If I turn the spring around the problem is even worse.
I have thought about attaching the spring through the eye of the split pin securing the clevis pin, but I am warry that the spring might eventually pull out the split pin.

Any ideas?

Cheers

Mike

[elanner]

Your Elan is presumably RHD, while mine is LHD, so I can't provide an exact comparison, but I too struggled with fitting the brake pedal return spring.

When I purchased the car there were no return springs so the previous owner either gave up or never even knew.

Anyway, my problem was to get the brake spring anywhere near the brake pedal. My solution was (1) to realize that there was a tiny hole in the stop light switch holder that the long leg of the spring was supposed to fit through and (2) fitting a small stud (in the form of a bolt and two locking nuts) to the hole in the pedal, which provided a place to hook the spring. The result works just fine, although the spring runs very close to the accelerator cable - but doesn't actually touch it.

It's hard to describe - hopefully the picture will help. While this clearly isn't the same as your problem it might provide some ideas....

Nick

[69S4]

A previous owner (a long time ago) made up an extension bracket for my brake pedal. At least I hope it was a DIY solution as it looks a bit crude to be a factory solution

[smo17003]

Hi Stuart

I think that's actually an additional throttle return spring you have there - looks good though

Cheers

Mike

[types26/36]

Here is my set up, I just hooked the spring around the clevis pin, it has clearance from the switch which has insulated terminals.

[smo17003]

Thank you gentlemen, some good ideas there.

Mike