Handbrake

[ocean1]

I appear to have snapped my handbrake cable, at least i assume so as the handle suudenly came up much higher than usual and feels loose. I had the devil of a job to release the button so that I could drive. Anyone got any experience of this ie:
Where can I get a new cable?
How tricky a job is it to change?
How much would a specialist charge to do it, if I were too lazy, which is quite likely.
The problem could be something else, I dont know because Im too fat to fit under the thing to have a look. Any advice welcome

Ocean1

[joospeed]

much more likely that the pivot bolt into the chassis has either come loose and fallen out or sheared off. reckon on 2-3 hours to sort depending which it is. (centre console out / cut away fibreglass for access / rebond in place / refit console etc)

[Ballistic Banana]

joospeed said: much more likely that the pivot bolt into the chassis has either come loose and fallen out or sheared off. reckon on 2-3 hours to sort depending which it is. (centre console out / cut away fibreglass for access / rebond in place / refit console etc)

This bolt broke on my Griffith see Here september 13th was the date as there is a photo there.
Dont know what its like on the Chimaera but you have to take the centre console then undo the fibre glass cover(about 8 posziscrews) to get to the bolt.
Remember to put some sealant around the fibre glass cover when putting back.
I think the reason this bolt brakes is as you are quite a way away from the Handrake you dont pull it straight up, you allways seem to pull it up and to you which puts a fair bit of strees on this bolt and it just gives up the ghost after a while.

All the best

BB

[ocean1]

Thanks for the advice guys, Id better have a look.

Ocean1

[chris547]

Just want to start discussion on bolts breaking. I am a structural engineer and quite often neeed to look at broken bolts. If it is a longish bolt and is subject to bending rather than solely tensile loads I find that HT bolts break more often than ordinary mild steel bolts of the same diameter. I suspect that these handbrake bolts may be a case in point. Go for the low strength bolt. It is a kind of fatigue.

Drill out if poss and use the next sixe up.

Best example I can quote is a trampoline. Only use mild steel bolts. Similar for engine mounts subject to vibration.

Anyone know how to improve the efficiency of an early Chim h/b so you do not need such a hard pull?

[2 Smokin Barrels]

Best thing is don't use the handbrake!!! (It ain't much good anyway )

(...not very helpful at this stage I know)

[jem]

can you change the ratio of the pull from the handbrake handle - pull more and therefore easier?

J

[Martin_S]

chris547 said:

Anyone know how to improve the efficiency of an early Chim h/b so you do not need such a hard pull?

Hopefully everyone knows the trick of standing on the footbrake pedal whilst applying the handbrake?

Like Barrels, I just don't bother when I put it in the garage or if it is parked on the level - just leave it in gear!

[jem]

Martin_S said:

Hopefully everyone knows the trick of standing on the footbrake pedal whilst applying the handbrake?

oooh - good plan, less power to counteract I guess.

J

[flintstone]

ocean1 said:

Where can I get a new cable?

And as if by magic.......... www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=39943&s=7