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repair, replace or upgrade mk1 escort handbrake bias axle-strap?
timB - 29/5/22 at 04:00 PM

hi,
My rear brakes are binding on one side, and on invesitgation my flexible brake bias strap is falling apart (it made it through the MOT though). Now, I've got £55, but that seems steep for something I could knock up myself on a night? am I wasting my time doing this, should I just pay, or is there some cool upgrade that I just don't know about. I'd appreciate opinions (or links). Thanks


one of these:
https://ah-racing.co.uk/webshop/cortina-mk1-and-lotus/brakes/lotus-cortina-hand-brake-bias-axle-strap/ <- £55


JAG - 30/5/22 at 07:45 AM



Well... I've never seen a handbrake arrangement like that!

My car has/had the MkII axle which had the sliding-rod style device to carry the load from the single handbrake cable to the drum on the opposite side.

Either way I replaced it with a better twin cable and balance bar arrangement from a more modern car - a 2001'ish Toyota Corolla (it had 8" drumbrakes on the back axle).

Unless you want the authentic handbrake set up I'd do something like that - it's much less prone to imbalance and seizing up etc...

[Edited on 30/5/22 by JAG]