Conference terri::cars_uk

I'm not an expert (are any of us :-), but could this be the problem:-

>    For 7 years I drove a Volvo 343 and had no problems like the one I
>    am just going to describe. I found the car very comfortable.

I've swapped cars a lot (share in two lease cars for a while) and lots of Avis
odds and ends. I've not got used to any of them. Maybe driving the same car
for so long causes the (bones, muscle, whatever) to set in one shape?

Jc

    Could be the 'bite' of the clutch is in a different place. When you
    examine the operation of the clutch pedal, it's something like this:
    
    \ 
     \ free travel
      \_<--full engagement------------------------}
       \                                          } operating
        \                                         } area
         \->-- start of engagement (bite point)   }
          \  
           \ free travel
            \
             \
    
    The point at which the operating area is can be adjusted. Your old car
    might have been set to right up the top of the pedal, in line with the
    brake operating area. Suggest to the garage they set it up that way and
    try it!.
    
    Richard

    ... and Richard is offering to pay for your new clutch when it goes.

    
    regarding the bones setting in shape.... you could be right.
    people who drove my car used to say the clutch was far too high
    (never sure what they meant because it was fine for me!) and I
    know the new owner has adjusted it already!
    
    A friend who drove my new car said he found the clutch very bad
    to use in traffic and very stiff and difficult to control, so maybe
    changing the cable WILL help.  but getting the pedal comfortable is
    a different problem I think.  anyway I am going to the Volvo garage
    tomorrow so will ask them to check how I can get it more suitable for
    me.  I can't believe I can't solve this problem!
    
    thanks for the diagram Richard!
    
    diana

>>                    <<< Note 1415.3 by NEARLY::GOODENOUGH >>>

>>    ... and Richard is offering to pay for your new clutch when it goes.

    Why on earth should it go??? I'm talking about changing it's position
    within it's operating range, not setting it so far up it's permanently
    slipping!
    
    Kind of like suggesting your seat will sag quicker if you set it at the
    end of it's travel. :-)
    
    Richard

    Probably down to 'what you were used to', but I wonder, did
    you find it uncomfortable on a test drive, or did you assume
    that it would be 'almost the same' and not bother ?
    
    I know Volvo are proud of their 'repeat purchase' record of
    previous owners buying the same make again.  Perhaps they
    are relying on this too much ?
    
    I have had the misfortune to drive a V reg Volvo 3-something-or-other.
    In that, I found that the pedals were all offset to the left by one !
    
    When I put my foot were I expected the throttle to be, I found nothing.
    When I 'instinctively' went to use the brake, I would find the throttle.
    And the clutch, that seemed to be in the position of the centre console !
    
    Seriously though, I found the positions odd.  If you have got used to
    this setup and the new model is better in this respect, you will
    find things uncomfortable/inconvenient (/dangerous ?).
    
    Mind you, after three weeks I would've hoped for 'comfort'.
    Perhaps the 'bad' cable is making the problem worse for you ?
    
    J.R.

    I did a test drive but this was really quite short.
    I was more interested in the engine than anything else.
    Then I drove it 160 miles home and this was the killer.
    I bought the car from a garage in Bury St. Edmunds.
    Doing a long journey with incorrect posture was what tipped
    me over the edge.

    I can sympathise Diana, it's awful suffering from aches and strains
    caused by driving ... since I've developed huge boobs and a fat stomach
    I find that driving the Mazda long distances is increasingly
    uncomfortably ... the 323 has always been super to drive (indeed that's
    one major reason we bought it) but recently I drove it to Basingstoke
    and back and since then I've had terrible backache ... it's not the
    cars fault though - it's my stupid body deciding to act all funny just
    cos there's a passenger on board !!
    
    Fatty Beagle who aches like mad right now 

    I suppose in my case I shouldn't complain.....
    
    
    
    		At 6'1", I really shouldn't be so fond of driving Minis.
    
    
    Billy

    well I got the clutch cable checked and the garage say it is ok.
    So they moved the bite point and it does definitely feel better.
    
    Once I get my body repaired (!) I will be able to assess whether
    this is going to be a permanent fix.  At the moment I am still in
    too much pain to be sure.

Maybe you should have left the car as it was, and traded yourself in for
a new body :-)

Jc

> re. Note 1415.7 by THRINT::HUNTD "millions of small people"
>
>    I did a test drive but this was really quite short.
>    I was more interested in the engine than anything else.

	I know it's sometimes hard to believe but Volvo 340's do
	have an engine !!

			p1

    hmmmmm. Jeremy and I discussed the possibility of people starting to
    do a Volvo bashing note!  We half expected this....  :)
    
    I am doing my best you know... I got rid of my Volvo that used 4-star
    and now have one which uses unleaded.  I also never take children to
    school at all so don't clutter up the roads at peak times.
    
    :):):):):)

    What it does raise is that even though you may find your current car
    perfect, replacing with an 'identical' newer model is not always going
    to result in another perfect car!.
    
    The seats can change, both your old ones sagging and you changing to
    accomodate, and newer materials and shapes being introduced subtly
    through evolution.
    
    The form and fit of the interface, (steering, pedals, gears, switches)
    can also change, both through wear and evolution. (I liked the gearbox
    on both my previous BX's, they've now fitted a totally new design, and
    I found it stiffer to use which was one of many reasons why I didn't go
    for a third BX)
    
    Even the feel and handling of the car can change, either through
    design, or through tolerance (or lack of) in the build of each example
    of a car.
    
    So.... even if it's the 'same car', a good long evaluative test drive
    is worth it.
    
    Richard
    P.S. Diana, I don't suppose the steering whell is adjustable for reach,
    i.e. it could move in so you could move closer to the pedals, whilst
    maintaining your upper reach?.
    

    
     I had a VOLVO 360 and had to replace it with a 340 after a Metro
    commited suicide on the front of it.
    
     Have you tried adjusting the lumbar support on the side as it makes a
    world of difference between hard and soft settings.
    
     The clutch cable on the 340 has to go all the way back to the rear of
    the car causing it to stretch and/or jam changing the place where it
    bites and how stiff the pedal is.
    
     I don't have back problems, just an addiction to sea sickness pills !!
    
                Chris.
    
         

    
    
    The service interval on my Pug is 6000 miles.   It usually takes me
    about 5500 of those to sort out the right combination of up,down,to,
    fro, tilt,rattle and roll on all those little knobs under the seat,
    then I get a week of driving in which my back doesn't hurt......then it
    goes in for a service, and they very carefully adjust every single
    blasted one of them to some extreme position !!!!!
    Not to mention retuning the radio, pointing all the air-vents in the
    wrong directions and setting the mirrors to give a fine view of tarmac
    or clouds, or the headlining.
    I wonder how many accidents occur in the frist few miles out of the
    workshop, due to owners trying to put all these things right ?
    
    
    
    ....and _every_ time, I say to myself, "Before I take it in, I'll mark
    all the adjustments with a little spot of paint......."
    Oh, look another flying pig.....
    
    
    IanP

    I had a good look at what shoes I wear when I drive and tried out
    several pairs.  I found a pair of 'sensible' ones which are easier
    than some others I have been wearing.  I have also realised that I
    can't actually reach the pedal properly, hence only  my toes have 
    been doing the work.  I think I need bigger feet...
    
    
    diana

>>         <<< Note 1415.17 by IOSG::HUNTD "millions of small people" >>>

>>    I had a good look at what shoes I wear when I drive and tried out
>    several pairs.  I found a pair of 'sensible' ones which are easier
>    than some others I have been wearing.  I have also realised that I
>    can't actually reach the pedal properly, hence only  my toes have 
>    been doing the work.  I think I need bigger feet...
    
    Or pad out the floor under your feet to raise your heels!.
    
    Richard

    pad out the floor.... funny you should say that because I screwed
    a piece of chipboard under the rigid mat at the weekend and it
    is therefore slightly higher.  So NOW I find if I take off my shoes
    it is fine!  Seriously I am wearing shoes that are extremely FLAT
    and it seems much better.
    
    ALSO - I experimented with the lumbar support and found it wasnt
    actually changing anything when I turned the knobs, so back to the
    Garage to get it repaired.  I think there must be a check list of
    things they are hoping I dont find during my 3-month warranty.
    
       diana