Handbrake Cable Too Long

[Lewis's Friend]

Hi All

I have just routed my new handbrake cable for my disc conversion and the cable is massively too long.

I seem to vaguely recall that this is not unusual, given that it comes off of a totally different car! So firstly, is this the case, or am I just remembering wrong?

Secondly, how does one go about shortening a cable? Can I drill a hole in the fixing at the end and just put a grub screw in it after chopping the length down? Or will this not be strong enough?

As always, all input appreciated.

[phillpot]

Cable from a Granada/Sierra or whatever certainly will be too long!




How I shortened mine is in this old thread......... clicky


Seem to recall someone else cutting the cable and joining back together with these.... cable clamps
Probably best done out of site (MOT man might not like them) between the handbrake lever and one of the chassis brackets?


or you could buy the correct cable from a TVR specialist

[Lewis's Friend]

Thanks - never done brazing before, but a first time for everything...!

[Alan Whitaker]

Most cables are Teflon coated and have lots of lubricant inside to stop rusting. you would have to use a acid cleaner on the end, heat would prob fu#k the Teflon up.

Alan

[Lewis's Friend]

Alan Whitaker said:

Most cables are Teflon coated and have lots of lubricant inside to stop rusting. you would have to use a acid cleaner on the end, heat would prob fu#k the Teflon up.

Alan

I think the idea would be to braze a sleeve around the handbrake end-loop (for want of a better word), then drill and tap a couple of holes to accept some grub screws. The handbrake cable itself isn't brazed in, but is held by the grub screws.

Out of interest I phoned TVR parts to see how much a new one was. And in short, they seem not to know. They also didn't know if the one they were talking about was for drums or discs, which didn't inspire confidence...!

[Alan Whitaker]

used the de-doin one as its shorter than the Sierra/Granada.
Give them a call for the size

http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/search.php?orderby=...

[Top Gear TVR]

mine fitted - but i wonder what the part number was?????

[Lewis's Friend]

I think I'm going to have a go modifying mine. If that proves to be a complete disaster, I'll look at others. The Caterham one could be a good option.

ML Performance can do one for approx £70, but that would make me rather sad as I have a brand new one already (even if the wrong length) and it seems like a waste of money.

TVR parts got back to me and can do one for £25. Result! This was a Chimaera cable though, which I'm pretty sure isn't right. It seems they don't know either. I realise stocking parts for old cars can be fraught with difficulty, but the few times I have been in contact with them, they have totally underwelmed me...!

[mikel003003]

I paid the £70 and yes it did make me sad. I also thought it was too long at first, turned out I was not routing it correctly, good luck

[Kitchski]

I just bought the V8S cable from Racetech.

[greymrj]

TVR Parts Ltd have just advertised that they have the correct handbrake cables for the V6S and V8S back in stock.
http://tvr-parts.com/tvr-parts/by-model/s-series?m...

For TVRees, the part number for the V6 is TVR S28J 10058 and for the V8 is TVR J0101

[Alan Whitaker]

£48 are they having a laugh, then there's postage on top

[phillpot]

Alan Whitaker said:

£48 are they having a laugh, then there's postage on top

looks like a bargain to me...


For a low volume, bespoke modified part I think the price is quite reasonable (and I'm tight)!

[Alan Whitaker]

Or you could use this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-SIERRA-HANDBRAKE-CA...

[phillpot]

Alan Whitaker said:

Or you could use this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-SIERRA-HANDBRAKE-CA...

If you have the abilities, facilities mindset and time to shorten it?

It's good that the correct part is now available for those that don't.... imho

[Kitchski]

I've got one of their prototypes here, am planning to fit it to a V8S next week. Will report back on findings, but it looks good quality, and £48 for a bespoke cable really isn't that bad. I had some V6 ones made and couldn't get them any cheaper.

If people want to piss around buying Sierra ones and them cutting them up to save £30 or whatever, crack on

[mk1fan]

https://caterhamparts.co.uk/handbrake/2425-handbra...

As mentioned here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

And confirmed here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Shame I bought two at the higher price!

[Kitchski]

mk1fan said:

https://caterhamparts.co.uk/handbrake/2425-handbra...

As mentioned here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

And confirmed here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Shame I bought two at the higher price!

The only problem with the Caterham one that I've seen (so far) is that it doesn't have the loose bit of outer cable just in front of the non-adjuster side mounting. That bit prevents the cable eating against the side of the chassis, and allows it to move smoothly inside the casing.

[mk1fan]

As I understand it, the original was swapped over on to it.

[Kitchski]

mk1fan said:

As I understand it, the original was swapped over on to it.

You'd have to cut an end off the cable to do that, which would eliminate the whole point somewhat!

I mean it's not a deal breaker, there are ways around it.