Handbrake compensator modification

Talk about the E-Type Series 1
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peters3103
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#1 Handbrake compensator modification

Post by peters3103 » Wed Nov 13, 2019 9:28 am

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
Pete
61 E-Type FHC Opalescent Golden Sand
69 XJ6 4.2 MOD Old English White - one previous owner
16 XE R Sport 25t Polaris White - shopping trolley
63 MGB Roadster Aintree Green - my dads from new

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#2 Re: Handbrake compensator modification

Post by mgcjag » Wed Nov 13, 2019 9:38 am

Hi Pete...yes...think this is Daves original photo
Image
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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#3 Re: Handbrake compensator modification

Post by peters3103 » Wed Nov 13, 2019 10:18 am

So the tube is hollow all the way to accommodate all of the rod I presume.
Pete
61 E-Type FHC Opalescent Golden Sand
69 XJ6 4.2 MOD Old English White - one previous owner
16 XE R Sport 25t Polaris White - shopping trolley
63 MGB Roadster Aintree Green - my dads from new

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#4 Re: Handbrake compensator modification

Post by mgcjag » Wed Nov 13, 2019 10:27 am

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
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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rswaffie
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#5 Re: Handbrake compensator modification

Post by rswaffie » Wed Nov 13, 2019 1:15 pm

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.
Richard

Previous owner and restorer of a S1 3.8 FHC Opalescent Golden Sand with Tan Trim 889504 (now sold and headed for Athens)

:swerve: :wrench: :hammer: :fingerscrossed:

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abowie
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#6 Re: Handbrake compensator modification

Post by abowie » Wed Nov 13, 2019 8:49 pm

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.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
Adelaide, Australia

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#7 Re: Handbrake compensator modification

Post by peters3103 » Thu Nov 14, 2019 1:58 am

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
Pete
61 E-Type FHC Opalescent Golden Sand
69 XJ6 4.2 MOD Old English White - one previous owner
16 XE R Sport 25t Polaris White - shopping trolley
63 MGB Roadster Aintree Green - my dads from new

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#8 Re: Handbrake compensator modification

Post by abowie » Thu Nov 14, 2019 2:24 am

peters3103 wrote:
Thu Nov 14, 2019 1:58 am

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

Cheers
Fair enough.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
Adelaide, Australia

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#9 Re: Handbrake compensator modification

Post by mgcjag » Thu Nov 14, 2019 9:30 am

Hi Pete....have you followed the adjustment procedure fully as explained in the service manual....also are the pads very worn....Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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#10 Re: Handbrake compensator modification

Post by peters3103 » Thu Nov 14, 2019 10:02 am

I’ll revisit the manual Steve, pads are reasonably recent ie 5000mls
Pete
61 E-Type FHC Opalescent Golden Sand
69 XJ6 4.2 MOD Old English White - one previous owner
16 XE R Sport 25t Polaris White - shopping trolley
63 MGB Roadster Aintree Green - my dads from new

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