Bendy handbrake lever

[Pupp]

Anyone suffered and successfully addressed the bendy handbrake syndrome - pretty much every application now, mine is bending over toward the driver side, often to the point the ratchet doesn't engage? Haven't really investigated that closely so am not sure if the lever mechanism is bending through fatigue (hopefully) or if it's the bracketry on the chassis...

[Discopotatoes]

Pupp said:

Anyone suffered and successfully addressed the bendy handbrake syndrome - pretty much every application now, mine is bending over toward the driver side, often to the point the ratchet doesn't engage? Haven't really investigated that closely so am not sure if the lever mechanism is bending through fatigue (hopefully) or if it's the bracketry on the chassis...

Ive just bolted mine onto the chassis, there are two bolts one holds the lever the other holds the ratchet, if the lever one is loose or has had the washers omitted in the past then you will get the play you speak of,

[Pupp]

I might be wrong but it doesn't feel like 'play' as such... really does feel like something is bending under load although, if so, I would have expected it to have failed by now. Suppose I'd better have the console off. Deep joy

[paulathome]

Hi Pup
Well here is what it looks like in all it's glory so make your own mind up what has failed by the feel.
(ooow er misses)
Paul

[Pupp]

Well, on the strength of that, I would say it's unlikely to be the chassis bracketry as that looks pretty sturdy... money is on lever itself, probably in the pivot area but how it's hanging together I can't figure as it has gone quite plastic without detaching. I'll post up when I get to the bottom of it.

Thanks for the replies

[Pupp]

Step closer to sussing this one as the thing finally failed yesterday (on the sloping pub car park where our TVRCC Chrimbo dinner was being held ironically enough)... I've yet to pull the console and investigate properly so cannot presently say what has finally let go but will post up when I know.

[over_the_hill]

Hopefully not the bolt holding the lever to the chassis tube.

Mine gave way a while back

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=138...

[Pupp]

Horrible feeling it could be after looking that over - thanks for posting up.

Ho hum....

[Discopotatoes]

I've just had to repair both bolts holding the handbrake and ratchet a real PITA job I ended up having to drill out the 8mm bolt and retap it to 7/16 as I couldn't quite get it square on, then loose the little sleeve. Then cut off the lug holding the 6mm bolt, make a new lug retap that and then weld it back on.

[Pupp]

Car thawed enough this afternoon for me to pull the console - the lever itself has broken through the welded join where tube meets the pressed part that forms the pivot; happily, the bolts all seem fine. Anyone know what the lever is off (Sierra?) or am I going to be 'taxed'?