Ideas needed for car mods for right leg above knee amputee to drive a manual trans

[theholycow]

Originally Posted by Erik

Motorcycle pressure plate springs are much weaker because motorcycle clutches typically consist of multiple clutch disks and steel plates that are all stacked together, so a little pressure results in a lot of friction from multiple surfaces.

Like a stage 3 racing clutch?

[theclencher]

I don't understand why y'alls are fooling around with clutch ideas.

It's the RIGHT leg that's gone.

Put a hand throttle on it and be done with it.

[theholycow]

Hand throttle is easy, but then what about brake? Tough to heel-toe the clutch and brake...

[theclencher]

Might have to get used to flipping it into neutral a lot.

Thing is, clutch and brake both require good force while throttle doesn't.

I'm envisioning a twist-grip throttle on the gear shift. Would that be OK?

[GasSavers_Erik]

Clencher- true- the twist grip shifter throttle would be easy enough to operate and add to the car, but it seems like I need independent/simultaneous control of brake and clutch.

I could try clutching, bumping it out gear then braking, but when I get into that habit so that it becomes automatic for me, what do I do in a panic stop situation?

In those circumstances where reaction time is critical, I'm not sure I'm smart enough to skip the clutch/neutral step and go straight for the brake.

I think I'd be more safe if I performed the same action whether I was coasting to a stop or if a deer runs out in front of me.

[GasSavers_BEEF]

I went to college with a guy that could barely use his legs. he could walk with special crutches if he needed to. he usually used a wheel chair. his arms were huge (makes sense). he had both the brake and the gas on a stick that you squeezed (their were two separate sticks) they went down to the pedal so I assume they were still attached to the pedals. he never used his feet to drive. it was an automatic but it may work. I wish I had cared more back then to find out how it all worked but I was worried that I might offend him.

he drove an extended cab smallish truck (maybe a mazda) but he kept the wheel chair right behind his seat. it worked very well for him.

maybe this will help, I don't know what they are called.

[GasSavers_Erik]

Originally Posted by theholycow

Like a stage 3 racing clutch?

Hmm- I didn't know those were multi layer- Do you know if switching to one of these will result in an easier pedal?

[theclencher]

Hard brake application, along with releasing the throttle, should totally overwhelm the engine and kill it.

I wonder if the parking brake lever could be repurposed for service brakes?

[GasSavers_Erik]

Originally Posted by BEEF

he had both the brake and the gas on a stick that you squeezed (their were two separate sticks) they went down to the pedal so I assume they were still attached to the pedals.

maybe this will help, I don't know what they are called.

Yes- I have seen those hand controls on the web, they are my #2 option above. Do you recall if he ever complained of fatigue on long trips?

[theholycow]

Originally Posted by Erik

Hmm- I didn't know those were multi layer- Do you know if switching to one of these will result in an easier pedal?

I suspect that they come with pretty stiff springs. However, they're designed to handle 800hp or whatever; it might be possible to modify one with a light spring for use with your stock engine.

The big problem with them, as I understand, is that you don't really ever get to slip the clutch. You have to rev up to launch hard and dump the clutch for every launch. I'm not sure if it's because of the multi-disc design or the heavy spring.