I've been trying to work out the fitting for my Sierra handbrake cable into my Haynes.

I had been expecting to fit it like this

handbrake details 123
But my handbrake lever is a bit further back, and so I think i'll be a bit short on space to use the cresent moon shaped equaliser AND have space to re-join the handbrake cable using clamps as above.

It seems a simple solution will be to replace the current equaliser with something more like this:

Handbrake2
With a drilled bolt securing the ends of the inner cables to the equaliser - along these lines:



Will it still be acceptable to have the original Sierra tension adjuster on a single side - or will I be left fiddling about adjusting the individual cable tension where the cables meet the equaliser?

Firstly, have you tried sitting in the car (in the seats) and using the handbrake? On my car the handbrake was so far back I would have had to dislocate my shoulder just to operate it. It needs to be almost up to the gearlever.

As for your adjuster, simply replace the rod coming from the Sierra handbrake with a new one. It is very easy to make, just a steel rod hammered flat at the ends (blow torch helps) with two holes drilled, then you can use the standard Sierra equaliser quadrant thing. This is what I did and it was so easy and the handbrake cable is kept completely standard.

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Originally posted by Mr Whippy
Firstly, have you tried sitting in the car (in the seats) and using the handbrake? On my car the handbrake was so far back I would have had to dislocate my shoulder just to operate it. It needs to be almost up to the gearlever.

As for your adjuster, simply replace the rod coming from the Sierra handbrake with a new one. It is very easy to make, just a steel rod hammered flat at the ends (blow torch helps) with two holes drilled, then you can use the standard Sierra equaliser quadrant thing. This is what I did and it was so easy and the handbrake cable is kept completely standard.

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I just drilled it out and replaced it with a bolt and nylock. Also use a piece of angle to hold the Sierra cable adjusters rather than square tube as in the picture. That way you only need two holes with a slots to hold them and no need to cut the cable.

[Edited on 15/12/20 by Mr Whippy]

jps

The 3rd image in your first post (cables through a drilled set screw + nut) is mine from my MK Indy. I used the Sierra handbrake lever and half moon arrangement. I didn't the drilled set screw + nut was simply my way of securing the cut ends of the inner cables together from bits I had available. It also took up minimal space in the tunnel and cleared the prop shaft. I drilled the set screw myself using my pillar drill. It was free apart from my time spent.

On reflection the handbrake lever was right in the way of the drivers left elbow, which ended up quite annoying. If building again I might try and figure out another handrake solution to leave the tunnel top clear for that improved driver comfort.

OR you could move the handbrake lever and make it easier to fit, easier to accommodate the longer standard cables and easier to operate when driving etc...


My handbrake lever installation, non-standard.

This is my car and the handbrake lever is next to the gearstick.

quote:

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Originally posted by Mr Whippy
use a piece of angle to hold the Sierra cable adjusters rather than square tube as in the picture. That way you only need two holes with a slots to hold them and no need to cut the cable.
[Edited on 15/12/20 by Mr Whippy]

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All Sylva designed cars (I think its all of them) are like this for a reason


Tunnel sides

Totally out the way and leaves the drivers elbow room to move about. Some do move it a little closer to the driver but that depends on seat choice and position.

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Originally posted by peter030371
All Sylva designed cars (I think its all of them) are like this for a reason


Tunnel sides

Totally out the way and leaves the drivers elbow room to move about. Some do move it a little closer to the driver but that depends on seat choice and position.

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quote:

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Originally posted by peter030371
All Sylva designed cars (I think its all of them) are like this for a reason


Tunnel sides

Totally out the way and leaves the drivers elbow room to move about. Some do move it a little closer to the driver but that depends on seat choice and position.

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quote:

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Originally posted by jps

quote:

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Originally posted by peter030371
All Sylva designed cars (I think its all of them) are like this for a reason


Tunnel sides

Totally out the way and leaves the drivers elbow room to move about. Some do move it a little closer to the driver but that depends on seat choice and position.

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I finally understand what people mean by 'handbrake lever under the dashboard' - I always pictured it in my mind as being horizontal - like it was in the glovebox.

I'll add that development to the LONG list of things i'd do differently for the second car I build! For now I want to carry on down the path i've started on!

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Originally posted by nick205
Like me you seem to have a mental list of 2nd time build improvements you'd like to use. Like me also you want to push ahead with what you're building without major alterations.

"Great minds think alike" - as they say

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Originally posted by jps

quote:

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Originally posted by nick205
Like me you seem to have a mental list of 2nd time build improvements you'd like to use. Like me also you want to push ahead with what you're building without major alterations.

"Great minds think alike" - as they say

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Indeed Nick - finding time to work on my build is a challenge - life has got in the way of my build regularly, hence the slow progress and I sometimes wish I had gone with a 'kit' like a GBS or similar rather than the Haynes, where it feels like there's so much more definition to what needs to be done, and less problem solving. Given I haven't, i'd definitely trying to move to a 'good enough' approach - rather than 'exactly as I'd have liked it...' !

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