Handbrake compensator modification

[peters3103]

Hi, to those who have done this Dave K mod,
how far up the rod from the mounting plate do I cut it? Is it just to leave a stub for the 2” long, 3/8” ID tube to be welded on and the remainder of the rod remains as is? I did get the instructions emailed to me some time ago but it’s inadvertently been deleted.

Cheers,
Pete

[mgcjag]

Hi Pete...yes...think this is Daves original photo

[peters3103]

So the tube is hollow all the way to accommodate all of the rod I presume.

[mgcjag]

Yes...cut the rod and weld on a tube at the short end.....when assembled overall length should be same as prior to cutting....Steve

[rswaffie]

Hi,
When I did this a few months ago, I didn't go down the welding route as I don't have access to the equipment.
I cut the rod half way between the mounting flange and the start of the bend and slipped the tube over both 'ends'. The tube was lubricated with graphite grease first. This works fine for me and enabled me to get it through the MOT as it took the braking force from 12% (fail) to 26% (pass).
Just another option.

[abowie]

Pete before you do this try out your handbrake first.

If the balance mechanism is properly restored it should work perfectly fine. All 4 on my cars did and do, and our customers don't seem to have problems.

I suspect the problem starts with cars that haven't been restored and have rusty mechanisms.

[peters3103]

Thanks guys, if I push both the levers on the callipers, and get a few more clicks, the handbrake works ok with 4-5 clicks at the handbrake lever but then after a short time the lever pulls to the top without holding the car. Would that be the ratchet mechanism failing? Also my cable is adjusted to the maximum. I did read somewhere about an improved cable. (JEC?)
Don’t really want to pull the callipers off so will try anything else first.

Cheers

[abowie]

Don’t really want to pull the callipers off so will try anything else first.

Cheers

Fair enough.

[mgcjag]

Hi Pete....have you followed the adjustment procedure fully as explained in the service manual....also are the pads very worn....Steve

[peters3103]

I’ll revisit the manual Steve, pads are reasonably recent ie 5000mls