Hanbrake cable 2+2

[Simon Bolton]

Hi all.I am about to replace the handbrake cable.I've looked in the search section but that seems not to be working so I am appealing to your vast knowledge.Is there a trick to it or does the exhaust have to come off.I have already taken out all carpets, seats, centre consul etc
for fitting of fatmat later so I am half way there already but it does look difficult.Any help would be much appreciated.
Many thanks Simon

[Simon Bolton]

My apologies.'Search' is working but nothing on h/brake cables so my dilemma still stands!
Simon

[tim wood]

Hi, I remember this dilema well.

Yes you need to remove the exhaust and the undershields then all is revealed. Horrible job unless you have a pit to work from. good luck

[Heuer]

Actually Simon 'search' is only working for the posts during the current day. I am having to rebuild it whenever anyone needs to use it. Still working on a permanent fix.

There does however not seem to be any previous posts addressing your problem so let's hope someone has been down that path before and can post their experiences.

[Simon Bolton]

Thanks for replies.I've given the job to a sympathetic mechanic friend who has a hoist.He though has a thought that he may be able to pull the new cable through using the old.Does that sound as if it could work or should we just get on and drop the exhaust?Also on looking in the Haynes book it suggests taking off the tunnel top under the gear lever.Would this facilitate his pull thru idea?Any suggestions very welcome-nothing worse than spending time on lost causes especially when the clock is ticking!
Many thanks Simon

[christopher storey]

Simon : the first thing to do is to remove the left hand seat.You can then undo the link, and see what you are doing. I do not think for a moment that you can pull the new cable through using the old one, because IIRC the hole is specifically made to prevent the outer coming through. What is feasible , however, is to attach some thin wire to the old one, remove that from the rear ,then tie the wire to the new one and pull it up. I think it is theoretically possible , just , to do it with the exhaust in place on a 6 cylinder, but it is probably easier to remove the exhaust

[Simon Bolton]

Hi Chris
Thanks for reply.Firstly,what is the IIRC hole and secondly I am not quite sure what you mean on the change over.Do you attach wire to both ends of the old one and drop down past the exhaust and then reverse to fit new? Thanks for your time

Simon

[christopher storey]

IIRC = acronym for If I remember correctly

If you attach the wire to the handbrake lever end of the old one and remove it to the rear, provided it is long enough, you will have an end sticking out by the handbrake lever. You can then attach the rear end of the wire to the new ,cable inner, shackle( ie the front end of the new cable) , and pull it through the transmission tunnel. You will still have to fiddle around to get the shackle through the hole but it might save you taking the exhaust off

[Moeregaard]

Remember to replace the rubber grommet where the cable exits the rear bulkhead. If it's perished or missing an incredible amount of heat will make its way into the cockpit via the handbrake lever opening.

[Simon Bolton]

Thanks for all the tips guys-I will let you know how we get along.
Embarrassed about IIRC -obvious when I look at it.Not quite as good as NFI though!

Many thanks Simon

[Simon Bolton]

Hi all
Got the new cable in using the pullthrough and this works well-Thank you.One problem showed up and that is an invisible bolt about 75 mm back from the handbrake ratchet in the tunnel.My chap drilled a 25mm hole for socket access and covered with a grommet once tight.My main problem is that the previous owner has butchered the tunnel behind the ratchet bracket to try to get at this bolt (and failing)and so sealing against heat is now the problem.Probably a weld job-heyho.
Simon