Hand Brake Lever / Cable Placement

[brainbug007]

Where is the correct placement for the handbrake lever and cable? I thought it was about 1/2 down the tranny tunnel? I tried trial fitting a new handbrake cable I got and it reaches all the way down the tunnel to where it starts to widen for the gearbox :confused: Should I do something like wrap the cable around something at the back end to eat up some of the length?

[David_17]

You need to shorten the cable. The easiest way is to thread the cable from one side drum, through the handbrake handle, then back to the other side drum, once it's ran through, pull up the slack and chop the end off.

You can then put a new nipple on the cut end, job done.

Hope that makes sense.

P.S. Some people cut the cable in the middle at the hanbrake, then re join it shorter there. I tried this method first, and it kept pulling appart. The new nipple at the drum is stronger.

[brainbug007]

thanks david that makes sense as from memory the silver tube the cable goes inside doesn't reach as far up as the middle of the tranny tunnel. How does one cut the end off and put a new nipple on though?

[robo]

I have never had any luck with the diy type cable ends on anything other that a throttle cable. I found a company called venhill in dorking surrey that make up just about anything in the way of cable from throttle to those monster push pull things that steer outboard engines. Was supprised how cheap the proper job was . just my 2pence.
Bob

[brainbug007]

I'd like to have a go at doing it myself but I'm a bit unsure of what to use for the nipple. I was thinking of drilling the old nipple out but snapped 2 drill bits trying... Would any of these be suitable ( http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=cable+nipple&_sacat=0&_odkw=brake+cable+nipple&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313 ) and then use a small weld to make sure it holds?

[David_17]

This one should do the trick. The first few i tried pulled off when the handbrake was applied, because they were too small.

This one's 8mm so will be strong enough...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Motorcycle-Cable-Solderless-Nipple-Screw-8mm-/170641580053?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item27bb07e015

[Ashtonr]

Should the Handbrake cable go into the front or back of the drums ? I have mine possitioned so it goes through the front but it looks like if they went in from the back the cable would bend less

[brainbug007]

Not qutie sure what you mean ashtonr? I've set mine up so the sheath part (looks kinda like a large spring with the actual cable inside it) goes into the back of the backplate (side facing the diff), then it goes across the front of the backplate and connects to the little "arm" on the brake shoe which should sit on the back of the shoe assembly on the right at you look at it face on?

[Ashtonr]

mean does the cable enter the back plate through the hole towards the front of the car or the rear

[brainbug007]

it enters the hole towards the front of the car from the back.

[Ashtonr]

Thanks thats how I have it

[brainbug007]

No problem, can't say I know what the other hole is for. Mine has some sort of bleed nipple in it that looks like the bleed nipple that goes on the wheel cylinder at the back. Anyone able to shed any light on what it does? (bleed nipple not wheel cylinder)

[SeriesLandy]

Mine had a rubber bung that the handbrake lever (on the shoe) sits against when the handbrake is in the down position. (a stop if you want to call it something)

[brainbug007]

Arg think I may have royally screwed this up. I forgot to put the spring that the cable goes through which sits between the backplate and the nipple :( I've welded the nipple on now as well... Is the spring critical ie will it fail mot / iva or can I get away without it? (only one side that I've forgotten to put it on)