Dax Rush handbrake options?

[Steve_D]

I am doing some work on a Dax Rush. The car has not been road registered so the handbrake has never been connected. There is a lever installed across the car directly under the steering column and evidence of how the cables could be routed so all would appear to be fairly straight forward.

However, the IVA manual says you must be able to operate the brake whilst at a standstill and when moving and also that you must be able to do it with the other hand on the steering wheel. It is not possible to reach the brake whilst wearing a full harness so will fail IVA as I see it.

The transmission tunnel is very tall so I have to assume the prop shaft takes up most of this space as the car has a live axle. On that basis the lever in the tunnel is not IMHO viable.

How have others solved this or does anyone have any suggestions?
Are there any donors around with the old style 'Umbrella Handle' handbrake?

Many thanks
Steve

[singlecoil]

Robin Hood get round this problem by mounting a handrake on the floor agains the transmission tunnel on the passenger's side, and they do pass like that. It means the cables run very close to the floor and (in the case of the car I looked at) actually rub agianst it, though I daresay some ingenious fabricating could solve that.

Have you tried the Dax forum as well? I've got the link on my computer at work, but I'm at home at the moment.

[The Black Flash]

One Rush has just passed IVA with the handbrake in the standard position. IIRC, the manual doesn't say you have to be strapped in, just that you have one hand on the steering wheel.

Personally, I moved mine to the tunnel. But I had to do a lot of fabrication:




It is tight, but it fits. I've seen other 7s put them on the passenger side of the tunnel as singlecoil says, and at least one other Rush owner has put it on the top of the tunnel - have a search on the Dax Forum

Edited by The Black Flash on Saturday 12th June 23:21

Edited by The Black Flash on Saturday 12th June 23:22

[RushV8]

You must have short arms Steve D ?

My Rush (pre SVA) has DJ Sportscars standard handbrake lever setup / position under the steering column, and whilst it is pathetic for auto-test handbrake turns (you just have to "floor" the throttle pedal instead of using handbrake - has roughly the same effect!), I can reach it with 4 pt harness on and shoulder straps done up reasonably (but not 100%) tight.

There is a fair amount of space between the centre tunnel and the top of the prop-shaft, but if I were to consider any other handbrake level setup on my car, then I'd go for the slim floor mounted lever option and probably in passenger side of the cockpit.

Good luck with the build and test.

[Steve_D]

The Black Flash said:

One Rush has just passed IVA with the handbrake in the standard position. IIRC, the manual doesn't say you have to be strapped in, just that you have one hand on the steering wheel............

Agreed about the one hand on wheel but it also says it must be operable at a standstill and whilst moving. The whilst moving would also require the seat belts fitted. To overcome the problem we have opted to fit inertia reel belts so you can lean forward and operate the brake.

A further question though. Does anyone know the part numbers for the cables used? There must be a double cable running from each of the brake drums to a yolk or balance bar then another running from there to the lever.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

Steve

[The Black Flash]

I think that the rear, dual cable is standard sierra, and the front section is custom.
It's gonna be easiest just to ring Dax I'd have thought.

[RichardTD]

Hi Steve,
I've built a few Rush's now and I would say if in any doubt then talk to Peter at Dax. IMO the standard set up with the handbrake under the steering column should pass IVA. I hope it will as I am currently building a V8 Rush!