Thrustmaster TPR pedal width adjustment

[lesthegrngo]

Hi all, I am looking at replacing my broken Saitek Pro flight rudder pedals. The toe brake return spring carrier broke, which seems to be common, but I was never really happy with them due to the pretty lousy feel. 

I was tempted to try and make my own pedals, having made lots of sim rig parts for my racing sim, but the fact that I want to make a proper job of the pedal plates themselves plus the time it would take means I'm looking at off the shelf.

The TM TPR's are within my budget, and seem to get great reviews. But (there's always a 'but', isn't there...?) my home built rig frame is a bit too narrow for the pedal assembly, which from diagrams on the web I calculate to be a total of 536mm over the pedal plate bolt heads.

From what I read, there is no adjustment of the pedal width available short of a brute force mod to the actual pedal and pedal pivot assembly, however it would be good if I can get confirmation - if they were on sale locally I could look at them, but unfortunately I would have to mail order

Cheers

Les   

[Vinc_Vega]

Hi Les,

536mm seems to be correct

If that helps?

taken from ->here<-

 

Regards, Vinc

Edited March 23, 2023 by Vinc_Vega

[edmuss]

I designed my pendular rudders to fit a very confined space and could be reduced in width as needed; as I designed them, they are about the same width as the TRPs but I need the hanging arms to be on the outside of the pedals, so as to keep access for the driving pedals.
Someone else has asked for a set of drawings/models for them so you can have a set if you want once I've updated them

[lesthegrngo]

Thanks for the reply guys. Unfortunately they are too big. I am going to go for the MFG Crosswind pedals, which will just about fit, although I would have preferred pendulum style pedals for comfort. Still, over time I may make my own, so I will take up the offer of the drawings when they are ready!

The current location I am in has a couple of places that can laser cut aluminium, so I might look at gradually getting bits made. I may start with bespoke foot pads for the Crosswind set to see how viable it is. 

Cheers

 

Les

[edmuss]

This is the configuration of mine, you could reduce the width very easily.  If you have access to a lathe and laser cutting then you could replicate pretty easily.

Based on a linkage from the TPR and spring/cam mechanism of the crosswinds.  Spring tension is adjustable to nill and the gas struts act as dampers to allow them to be used as anti-torque pedals for rotary wing use.  Pedal throw is +/- 125mm from neutral so loads of control.

I designed them around material that I had in stock, mostly 50x8mm aluminium bar stock and machined delrin for pivot bearings.  The majority of components could be replicated as 3D printed though

Edited March 24, 2023 by edmuss

[lesthegrngo]

Nice, will be looking at that going forward!

Cheers

 

Les

[edmuss]

LIke I said, you're welcome to the models and drawings if it's of interest.
I'm going to replace the two opposed gas struts that act as the main damper, gas struts only dampen motion on extension and the two that are on there have lost some of their capacity, I'll be replacing them with a single hydraulic damper (from a mini moto - 12 quid off ebay) which will give a better, more robust system.

[macedk]

On 3/23/2023 at 11:47 AM, lesthegrngo said:

Hi all, I am looking at replacing my broken Saitek Pro flight rudder pedals. The toe brake return spring carrier broke, which seems to be common, but I was never really happy with them due to the pretty lousy feel. 

I was tempted to try and make my own pedals, having made lots of sim rig parts for my racing sim, but the fact that I want to make a proper job of the pedal plates themselves plus the time it would take means I'm looking at off the shelf.

The TM TPR's are within my budget, and seem to get great reviews. But (there's always a 'but', isn't there...?) my home built rig frame is a bit too narrow for the pedal assembly, which from diagrams on the web I calculate to be a total of 536mm over the pedal plate bolt heads.

From what I read, there is no adjustment of the pedal width available short of a brute force mod to the actual pedal and pedal pivot assembly, however it would be good if I can get confirmation - if they were on sale locally I could look at them, but unfortunately I would have to mail order

Cheers

Les   

Same happened to mine. I did this repair.

 

[lesthegrngo]

12 minutes ago, edmuss said:

LIke I said, you're welcome to the models and drawings if it's of interest.
I'm going to replace the two opposed gas struts that act as the main damper, gas struts only dampen motion on extension and the two that are on there have lost some of their capacity, I'll be replacing them with a single hydraulic damper (from a mini moto - 12 quid off ebay) which will give a better, more robust system.

I used those for my DIY H pattern gearbox to improve feel, they work pretty well. 

I used to have a TiG welder, which I wish I still had as I would be able to construct my own pedals more easily. Without it I am condemned to much more machining, which on my little CNC mill is not impossible but exponentially more work. Also, getting stock material here is not easy

Les

7 minutes ago, macedk said:

Same happened to mine. I did this repair.

 

I was going to take them apart to see what I could do as an interim why the new pedals arrive, so thanks for this. I may end up repurposing them 

Les

[edmuss]

I never thought about adding dampers to my H pattern when I designed it, I think the packaging might be a bit small to fit them in there now though!

I hand machined all of the pedals with a jigsaw and pistol drill
The turned parts I got done at work with by the tame CNC man, laser cut parts (toe brake components) by my mate, simply because it's easier than hand profiling stainless repeatably given the tools I have and kinking the braces for the main arms was done by my mate who has a fabrication shop.

As I said, materials could be anything, make them from wood if you're so inclined

[macedk]

9 minutes ago, lesthegrngo said:

I used those for my DIY H pattern gearbox to improve feel, they work pretty well. 

I used to have a TiG welder, which I wish I still had as I would be able to construct my own pedals more easily. Without it I am condemned to much more machining, which on my little CNC mill is not impossible but exponentially more work. Also, getting stock material here is not easy

Les

I was going to take them apart to see what I could do as an interim why the new pedals arrive, so thanks for this. I may end up repurposing them 

Les

If you do the repair. If you need to shorten the screw, then testfit the bolt before inserting it.

[lesthegrngo]

Try using R/C car dampers, they come in all sorts of small sizes and are adjustable coil over units as well

Les

[macedk]

18 minutes ago, lesthegrngo said:

Try using R/C car dampers, they come in all sorts of small sizes and are adjustable coil over units as well

Les

It is the plastic holder that brakes not the coil spring

[lesthegrngo]

Sorry Macedk, I was replying to edmuss, looks like outs posts went in out of order!

Les 

[edmuss]

I have a bunch of RC dampers (spent 10 years racing 1/10th scale electric back in the late 80s/early 90s) so could probably get a couple in there

Gone off topic, apologies

[lesthegrngo]

No need to apologise to me, I do that all the time!

Les

[macedk]

On 3/24/2023 at 1:14 PM, lesthegrngo said:

Sorry Macedk, I was replying to edmuss, looks like outs posts went in out of order!

Les 

Ok