Replacing the handbrake assembly ?

[stevied]

The rachet on my standard (not Leven) handbrake has given up the ghost. Lever works, just doesn't stay on.
The plan was take the old handbrake lever out, pop down the dealers and get a new one to bolt back in.

Not going to plan so far !

Got the centre console all out, but can't see anyway of removing the brake lever. Got it up on ramps, and can't see alot underneath either.
Any one know how to remove the offending item, or is it too much grief for a pretend mechanic to do !

Cheers for any advice.

[snorky]

mine is a little loose and Joolz told me you have to cut a hole around it thru the f/glass to get to it as it is installed on the rolling chassis then the body is plopped on top. So, if you don't want to have to remove the body get out the jigsaw...mine is still loose...

[parrot of doom]

I thought you could get to it by removing the exhaust? You can certainly see the Y-piece and the 3 cables running along above the exhaust?

[stevied]

Thanks for the info guys. Certainly not a quick job !

The transmission tunnel has got a second piece of fibreglass screwed on underneath the door opening knob. Its the size of a small plate. Might see if that gives access, tried it already, but glued as well as screwed, time for a large screwdriver on it.

[stevied]

Had another go, and managed to remove the plate sized piece of fibreglass. It had 8 screws all the way round and mastic sealing the gap. Got holes in it for the handbrake and gear lever to stick up through.

Unbolted the handbrake ok, once this panel was pulled up.
There was one bolt holding the handbrake on, and then pulled out the split pin to disconnect lever from brake cable yoke.

New (secondhand) lever arrived today from Bell Hill breakers. Just been bolting it on, and all appears clear now. Not a fault with the lever at all...

The bracket the lever attaches to is brazed onto the chassis. Looks like there should be a pivot bolt or sleeve sticking out of this bracket, as well as the threaded hole where I've taken a bolt out of.

Anyone had theirs off, and confirm there is a sleeve/stump/bolt that the brake lever slides onto, before then putting a bolt through the rear of the 'rachet' plate.

Looks like its sheered off as something is just below flush with the surface. May have to try drilling a small pilot hole, and then try one of those easy out screws ?

Nightmare !!!