Gas Pedal Flex Solution

WS6FirebirdTA00 · October 7, 2018

Thanks for the post. I strarted to research some tuning info and came across this. The lag is miserable. My TSX I could just stick it to the floor, but the truck has a LITTLE more power

Anyway, I don’t want to crack in to the tune quite yet and figured I would check this out. I feel a lot of times I press the pedal and nothing happens (exactly what this thread was showing as an issue).

I have adjustable pedals and the lower bracket didn’t move much. I was still able to put an 1/8” rubber washer under the bottom right corner like the paint stick. Mine looked like it was rocking right, not necessarily having a gap to the firewall.

What I saw on mine was when the pedals were all the way to the floor (where I keep them) the stops were not bottomed out. I ended up puting some washers (0.040” thick) between the motor and the plastic frame. See the picture where I am pointing. That took the slack out of the adjuster and nearly bottomed out the guides. I tried a rubber pad under it, but I guess the motor stops at high current draw and did not bottom out. There is still play at the top, but nothing like it was. I need to find a way to load the videos, half my accounts are inactive and closed lol

kevinfranklin · October 7, 2018

1 hour ago, ws6firebirdta00 said:

Thanks for the post. I strarted to research some tuning info and came across this. The lag is miserable. My TSX I could just stick it to the floor, but the truck has a LITTLE more power

Anyway, I don’t want to crack in to the tune quite yet and figured I would check this out. I feel a lot of times I press the pedal and nothing happens (exactly what this thread was showing as an issue).

I have adjustable pedals and the lower bracket didn’t move much. I was still able to put an 1/8” rubber washer under the bottom right corner like the paint stick. Mine looked like it was rocking right, not necessarily having a gap to the firewall.

What I saw on mine was when the pedals were all the way to the floor (where I keep them) the stops were not bottomed out. I ended up puting some washers (0.040” thick) between the motor and the plastic frame. See the picture where I am pointing. That took the slack out of the adjuster and nearly bottomed out the guides. I tried a rubber pad under it, but I guess the motor stops at high current draw and did not bottom out. There is still play at the top, but nothing like it was. I need to find a way to load the videos, half my accounts are inactive and closed lol

Looks like you took the whole assy out, so was that difficult?

And I think what you're saying is you removed screws (2 of them?), and added in a washer in-line, between the 2 black sections.....is that right?

WS6FirebirdTA00 · October 7, 2018

Removal was easy.

First remove the pedal assembly. There are two plugs, twist lock plug and push in wire retainer. Loosen the 2 torx screws that hold it to the bracket.

Once that is out, (3) 10 mm nuts hold the bracket with the adjuster. There are 2 plug in connectors, wire retainer clip and twist lock plug up top. Not sure what the top twist lock piece is, so be careful with it lol

There are actually (3) washer you need to space out the motor at the (3) screws.

If anyone knows what is connected up top on the positioner bracket let me know. I am curious.

WS6FirebirdTA00 · October 7, 2018

That cable goes to the brake pedal adjuster, by the way.

captainzombie · October 8, 2018

Start stop doesn't bother me, actually saves gas when stopped a a RR crossing with a triple header pulling 200 coal cars.

No override switch in the '18 Traverse or Malibu but easy enough to defeat switch to "M" or "L" and click to maximum gear , eg. L9 in the Traverse L6 in the Malibu and no more start stop for the rest of the drive cycle.

Use the Silverado now only for heavy work.....the '18 Traverse amazes the crap out of me, a whole different model compared to my '15. All the high tech goodies with on the fly 2WD/AWD 310 hp V6 that 0-60 in 6 sec and gets 29-30 mpg (yes, 30 mpg ) on the highway in 8th and 9th overdrive ears, mill is turning 1800 rpm at 70 mph and drops multiple gears so it still has plenty of steam at highways speeds. Four comfortable buckets plus a three seat bench for Moe Larry and Curly. Handles like a cat and climbs hills like a goat, new high performance torque convertor and improved low gear clutches in the tranny. Acoustic glass and active noise cancellation for a quiet ride. Equipped with radar, front, rear and side HD cameras (even has a camera washer for the rear)and 8" screen with night vision it synthesizes a top down view of the vehicle and surroundings....electronic wide angle rearview mirror so no heads blocking the rear window..you can black out all the windows and still drive the car! D optic LED headlights with no more shutters so both high and low beams operate simultaneously on high. Pedestrian alert and auto braking can spot a deer at dusk and give me half a chance of avoiding collision with those road rats. There's even a gremlin hiding in the Nav head that auto zooms the map and duplicates turning directions in the 4" speedo display as you approach as turn/turnoff. New multi link rear suspension squats on a hard stop so no nose diving or pitching in turns. Damn thing is more fun to drive than my old Camaro, a sports car when I'm in and a family car when the wife is riding shotgun without being a cop magnet! It is physically larger than the Tahoe and downsized GMC Acadia and goes for $15K less than an equivalent Tahoe. Took Chevy 10 years to redesign the Traverse and though the new ones bear the nameplate it is a completely different animal, only parts in common with the gen1 are the lug nuts. Looks good in the Redline blackout version with all around LEDs. Sorry to go on about this but I'm amazed every time I get into it.......this is the finest driving Chevy I have driven in 50 years of driving.....even better than my '74 Impala Custom 454 that got 6 mpg.!

Anyone in the market for a Tahoe or Suburban should take a look at the 2nd gen Traverse first.

I will agree with everything you have said about the 2018 Traverse. We bought ours in April after the Dodge dealer told us that our 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan which we bought new with less than 10 miles back then and at 40k miles earlier this year needed its trans lines replaced. We searched around as my wife was ready for an SUV and to get away from a van.

It lead us to the Traverse. This Traverse rides so smooth and the 9 speed trans makes me so jealous when riding my 6 speed 2018 Silverado. I only test drove a previous gen Traverse, but this new one should win GM some awards for innovation in this class. We have an LT trim with four bucket and a rear bench, even with cloth these are some very comfortable seats.

Some of the features in the Traverse make me wish my Silverado had these too, guess it’ll be for the next truck whenever that comes in a few years. I agree if anyone is looking for a family SUV the 2018 Traverse is awesome.

DirtyAndy · October 13, 2018

Another satisfied “customer”. Bought my 2018 about 6 weeks ago and noticed it hesitated during “hollywood” stops or in situations where minimal throttle is used. Didn’t think much of it until I noticed it in a few threads on here. So, this afternoon I stuck my head under the dash. Sure enough it flexed. Not as bad as others, but I’d guess about 1/4” or 3/8”.

Luckily I had a cut up exhaust grommet laying around for my Harley and it fit perfectly under there and the difference was noticeable immediately.

For those wondering, pictured below is the grommet I’m talking about. I cut it in half and cut the little “nipple” off and it was a perfect fit. Only cost a buck or two at any independent motorcycle shop that services VTwins. Cheers, OP! My truck drives normal now!

71_340 · October 14, 2018

I also have the adjustable pedals which I keep al the way forward since I am tall. I don't know if my accelerator pedal has the flex issue but it didn't feel right, in my opinion mostly because it is to far forward in relation to the brake pedal.

I found that the acc. pedal will move forward almost 3/8" before the brake pedal starts moving. I saved that position as one of the memory settings and have been using it ever since. To me it made a huge difference in feel because it also change the acc. pedal angle.

Give it try if you have the adjustable pedals and usually have them forward.

WS6FirebirdTA00 · October 14, 2018

There is a cable at the top of the gas pedal that connects to the brake to move it. You can disconnect that to offset the gas more and then reconnect.

71_340 · October 15, 2018

I will look at that when and if it stops raining here. Thanks for the info.

CCGMC · January 13, 2019

I have a 2018 GMC Sierra z71 with adjustable peddles. I love every aspect of my truck but hated the lag on what I now know as tip-in. It really bothered me a lot to the point I was actually embarrassed to hand the keys to anyone to drive it. I came across this thread by pure accident and was surprised to hear that my truck was not the only case and people have been suffering from this issue for years now.

Anyway I checked my gas pedal for the flex in the plastic plate and sure enough it had some flex in it. My original thought was that it wasn’t flexing much and I may not notice a difference after applying the fix. I cut and flattened a piece of 3/8” rubber hose under the plastic plate and have been driving around all day today. To my surprise and relief most of the tip in lag is gone. Everyone should do this mod as it makes the gas pedal much more predictable and a solid feeling as it should be.

txrangersfan · January 27, 2019

On 5/22/2018 at 10:26 AM, 14GMCZ71 said:

Last night I tried this fix. I pulled back on the accelerator pedal and placed two stacked neoprene rubber washers - each 1/8 inch thick and 2 inches round - under the black plastic bracket to take up the gas pedal flex. I was able to push the rubber washers far enough up behind the bracket where the lower bolt/nut is located that I could barely see the edge of the washers - and that is looking from under the dash. That bolt/nut as stated in prior posts must not go clear through the floorboard.

Then I drove the truck. Wow! What a difference in throttle response. Great tip. Thanks!

Did the same thing today with a 2” x 1/4” neoprene washer. Perfect fit!

Mike GMC · January 27, 2019

I had une this to my 15 last year and forgot about it. It was totaled the day after Christmas and I replaced it with a new 18. I just checked today and it did have the flex. I cut a short piece of 1/4"x1" trim wood I had in the garage and wedged it in there. The flex seems all but gone, same as my 15. Haven't driven it yet, but I'm sure it will be better just like the 15 was.

Gotarace · June 4, 2019

Thank You to the original poster...I bought a 2017 Silverado Crew and thought I had a lemon...Two pieces of paint stick later I have a responsive 5.3 gm again. I have to say whoever designed this garbage gas pedal setup should be escorted off of GM property Immediately. My truck had such a lag I was going to take it in for Service and not take it back until it was Fixed. Taking off from stop signs or city stop and go driving was a adventure at best...you never knew if it would take off or hesitate when getting on the gas. My 2005 crew was always responsive and predictable when applying pressure to the gas pedal. GM is really dropping the ball with this design and should recall and fix this pedal flex. It has to be hurting sales...New and used. Thanks Again for this Fix and putting a smile on a longtime GM owners Face.

Edited June 4, 2019 by Gotarace