Handbrake Cables and Guide

GreatOldOne · #1 8th January 2007, 09:31

Another question! :-)

I've got the new handbrake cables in place, and have them threaded through the cable guide. From the design of the guide, it's pretty obvious that it needs to be bolted to the underside of the tunnel - but I just wanted to make sure with you lot before I go mad with the drill and cut some bolt holes for it. Where did you guys position it? It seems to naturally fall in to place so that the guide is half in, half out of the tunnel.

Also, did you secure the brake cable to the arms, or leave them 'floating'? By the time the guide is bolted in place, they're not goin to be going anywhere, but I just wondered if you clipped them to the trailing arms in some way.

As for Trailing arms and such, I decided to work off some of the crimbo mince pies I ate over the past couple of days, so there's been - shock, horror - progress on the car! ;-)

Lots of pics here.

MartinClan · #2 8th January 2007, 12:26

Hello GreatOldOne

Getting the handbrake guide in the correct place first time can be tricky! Here is a picture of mine (from the top)

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/martincla.../handbrake.jpg

You can see the heads of the mounting bolts towards the bottom right corner of the pic. That should give you some idea of where to position it.

The handbrake cables are clipped to the trailing arms. There should be a bracket that mounts on the same bolt as the rear anti-roll bar (as I remember).

How are you shortening your cables? I would strongly recommend the method of silver soldering. I tried the crimping method suggested by Marlin but it wasn't to reliable and the last thing you want to see is your pride and joy rolling down a hill with no one in it!

Nice drill! I have a Makita (bout three years old now) and despite all the abuse is still going strong.

Robin

GreatOldOne · #3 8th January 2007, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinClan

The handbrake cables are clipped to the trailing arms. There should be a bracket that mounts on the same bolt as the rear anti-roll bar (as I remember).

Ah... I think I still have them - I know I've got at least one in my parts box. Not sure where the other one got to. I'll have to have a rummage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinClan

How are you shortening your cables?

I'm not sure mine need shortening - I've not got that much cable coming out of the hole in the tunnel. I'll have to get the guide bolted up and the handbrake lever on to see for sure, but if they do need shortening, I'll give you a shout for tips on silver soldering.

MartinClan · #4 8th January 2007, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

I'm not sure mine need shortening - I've not got that much cable coming out of the hole in the tunnel. I'll have to get the guide bolted up and the handbrake lever on to see for sure, but if they do need shortening, I'll give you a shout for tips on silver soldering.

Ah - that's interesting. Marlin must have changed what they supply then. With the handbrake cable guide I had, you had to chop off the threaded bit of each (BMW) cable (sharp cold chisel works best) pass the cable through the guide and then put on the new end. Perhaps Marlin do this for you now - I always thought it was a bit of a dodgy operation particularly if your DIY skills weren't up to much. (Car running down the hill syndrome)

Robin

peterux · #5 8th January 2007, 20:50

Hi Jason,
good to see your build progressing.

I agree with Robin comments above.

Here are pictures of my installation....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peters-...7594142490868/

and

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peters-...7594142490868/

The white plastic clips that screw on the trailing arms can still be sourced from a BMW main dealer. Mine got me some all the way from Germany and they cost about 39pence each!

I had to shorten my own cables following Marlin's instructions. Now Robin is giving nightmares about them breaking

Peter

GreatOldOne · #6 9th January 2007, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterux

The white plastic clips that screw on the trailing arms can still be sourced from a BMW main dealer. Mine got me some all the way from Germany and they cost about 39pence each!

Thanks for the heads up, Peter - I've ordered both the plastic clips and the brackets (I couldn't be asked to paint up the rusty old ones - I'm fed up of painting!

) from my local BMW garage.

Brackets and Clips - £1.50
Not having to get the POR15 paint out again - Priceless.

MartinClan · #7 9th January 2007, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterux

I had to shorten my own cables following Marlin's instructions. Now Robin is giving nightmares about them breaking

Peter

Sorry... I am always a bit of a pessimist. Anyway its unlikely that both would break at the same time ;-)

Patrick · #8 9th January 2007, 19:15

And there should be room in the passenger foot well for a chock or brick

I looked but I don't seem to have any shots of the Y tube thing! Doh.

peterux · #9 9th January 2007, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick

And there should be room in the passenger foot well for a chock or brick

Maybe I should carry an anchor on a chain??

GreatOldOne · #10 9th January 2007, 20:36

Thanks for the pics. The next question is on hand-brake fitment. It's obvious that the forward most holes (above the slot, looking toward the firewall) are for the front mounting points on the brake lever. But that leaves the end flapping about in the air. Looking at Peter's pics, the answer is some sort of bracket. Is this a DIY bit that you have to make, or is it supposed to be supplied with the kit?

peterux · #11 9th January 2007, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

Looking at Peter's pics, the answer is some sort of bracket. Is this a DIY bit that you have to make, or is it supposed to be supplied with the kit?

It's DIY and will be the first of many brackets you will be making!

Happy building......

Peter

GreatOldOne · #12 12th January 2007, 09:45

The guide is in place, and the cables have been clipped onto the trailing arms and look a lot tidier. I've got the handbrake in place and I can confirm that the marlin supplied cables are the correct length - they don't need shortening.

Will5 · #13 13th January 2007, 10:25

3x.JPG

Wow, everyone seems to be doing so well with their handbrakes, where as I am completely confused. The picture shows what came off the BMW and what Marlin sent me. My question is do I salvage the small tube/guide and if so do I have to then take the cable fittings off to thread the cable through?

If I don't slvage the tube/guide then the a spring seem totally pointless. I did try to speak to Marlin but I am no clearer.

Cheers

Will

MartinClan · #14 13th January 2007, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will5

Attachment 20

Wow, everyone seems to be doing so well with their handbrakes, where as I am completely confused. The picture shows what came off the BMW and what Marlin sent me. My question is do I salvage the small tube/guide and if so do I have to then take the cable fittings off to thread the cable through?

If I don't slvage the tube/guide then the a spring seem totally pointless. I did try to speak to Marlin but I am no clearer.

Cheers

Will

If your handbrake cable is not already assembled (IE supplied with cable threaded thru the Marlin Y tube) you have to schop the ends of the BMW cables, thread the cables thu the Y tube and add new end with the cable cut to the correct length. Pictures on my website! http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/martinclan/pictures1.htm

Cheers

Robin

Will5 · #15 13th January 2007, 21:34

Thanks Robin,

I think my problems are at the other end of the cables. My cables can be fitted on thru the 'Y' tube. I seem to have problems attaching photos I will try again.

3x.JPG

Cheers

Will

Patrick · #16 13th January 2007, 21:44

Will - you need to wait for a mod to approve the picture before we can see it

Will5 · #17 13th January 2007, 21:50

Thanks Patrick, that explains it.