HANDBRAKE
HANDBRAKE LEVER is sourced from ;
FORD ESCORT Mk2 Rally Kit Car RS Mexico
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NOTE ;
Do you have a later Robin with the 12 inch wheels ?
Do you need a new Handbrake Cable ?
If so , order a 10 inch handbrake cable rather than a 12 inch handbrake cable .
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John Copestake of carwisespares.moonfruit.com has kindly informed me that ;
{ Reliant had a special cable made for the 12 inch setup with a similar spring on it to the type used on a Kitten .
Inner cables though are way to long, as in a few inches, and the spring is of no use at all . }
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REMOVING AN OLD SNAPPED HANDBRAKE CABLE
{ 1 } Disconnect the old cable at the brake lever
{ 2 } Cut the old inner cable a couple of inches in front of the pulley wheel and you will be able to remove all of the old cable .
This gives easier access to the old adjusters and you can then get a 9/16 ring or socket on one end .
It also makes it easier to access the split pin at the pulley wheel without the cable getting in the way .
{ 3 } Use an " R " clip instead of a split pin .
This makes it easier to remove the next time .
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HANDBRAKE CABLE CLEVIS PIN MODIFICATION
Have any of you struggled to get the split pin out of the clevis pin at the handbrake cable end ?
Why not fit an " R " clip with a string pull loop attached or , even neater , attach a split ring .
Split rings are freely available in various sizes from angling outlets .
It is a fairly easy job to push the " R " clip through the hole in the Clevis pin and even easier to remove the " R " clip by just pulling the loop on the string or split ring .
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You can do the same modification on the clevis pin at the handbrake pulley
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HANDBRAKE NOT HOLDING ?
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Put in neutral
Chock wheels front and rear
Release handbrake
Jack up vehicle
Support with axle stand
Remove one wheel
Slacken brake adjuster FULLY OFF at back of brake
Remove brake drum
{ might need to give it a gentle clout with a mallet or block of wood or an 8lb Reliant hammer }
Look at brake shoes and if worn replace .
If not worn , replace brake drum .
Wind the brake adjuster fully in till you cannot turn the brake drum with your hands
Back adjuster of a couple of clicks { maybe 3 } till brake drum frees off .
Slide your index finger under the handbrake cable about halfway between where the outer
cable butts onto the axle and the bit where it connects with the brake handbrake lever
where it enters the brake backplate .
Turn the brake drum and Lift the cable and it should lock the brake .
Refit wheel
Lower vehicle back down
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Do the following on the other side
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Put in neutral
Chock wheels front and rear
Release handbrake
Jack up vehicle
Support with axle stand
Remove other wheel
Slacken brake adjuster FULLY OFF at back of brake
Remove brake drum { might need to give it a gentle clout
with a mallet or block of wood or an 8lb Reliant hammer }
Look at brake shoes and if worn replace .
If not worn , replace brake drum
Wind the brake adjuster fully in till you cannot turn the brake drum with your hands
Back adjuster of a couple of clicks { maybe 3 } till brake drum frees off .
Slide your index finger under the handbrake cable about halfway between where the outer cable butts onto the axle and the bit where it connects with the brake handbrake lever where it enters the brake backplate .
Turn the brake drum and Lift the cable and it should lock the brake .
Leave the wheel off and pull the handbrake on ; It should lock the wheel
Refit wheel
Apply handbrake and try to turn wheel .
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If it does not lock the wheel then do the following ;
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Release the handbrake
Adjust the handbrake cable at the adjusters on the cable until the brake locks when the handbrake is applied .
Release handbrake
Tighten the locknuts on the cable
Refit wheel
Apply handbrake and try to turn wheel .
If movement then re-adjust cable adjusters till the handbrake locks the wheel when applied
Lower vehicle back down
Now go around and check that the other wheel
now locks when the handbrake is applied .
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HANDBRAKE LEVER SYSTEM ON RELIANTS WHICH USE THE MINI BRAKING SETUP .
PHOTO BELOW SHOWS A SEIZED HANDBRAKE LEVER FROM A 1996 ROBIN WITH THE MINI BRAKE SETUP
PHOTO BELOW SHOWS THE SAME LEVER AFTER CLEANING ;
NOTE THE STAMPED CODE ON THE LEVER ; LB25F9016A
PHOTO BELOW SHOWS A HANDBRAKE CABLE LEVER FROM A 1996 ROBIN WITH THE MINI BRAKE SETUP ;
MEASUREMENT 1
PHOTO BELOW SHOWS A HANDBRAKE CABLE LEVER FROM A 1996 ROBIN WITH THE MINI BRAKE SETUP ;
MEASUREMENT 2
PHOTO BELOW SHOWS A HANDBRAKE CABLE LEVER FROM A 1996 ROBIN WITH THE MINI BRAKE SETUP ;
MEASUREMENT 3
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ON THE PHOTO BELOW , NOTICE THE DIFFERENT ARM WHERE THE HANDBRAKE CABLE ATTACHES TO ON THE KITTEN VERSION WHICH USES THE SAME MINI BRAKE SYSTEM
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HANDBRAKE LEVER GAITER
Reliant Part Number ; 20930
Mini Part Number ; 17H7612
Minisport.com Handbrake Lever Gaiter
Minispares.com Handbrake Lever Gaiter
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