19 replies to this topic

[Elliskwleisk]

Sorry to resurrect this thread but I’m about to start my handbrake assembly so I was looking for tips first. Just wondering how you got this sorted? We’re they too short? As I think there about 4 or 5 different cables available.

Unfortunately I never found a solution. I ended up leaving it in the lower plate inverted configuration (pictured earlier). I sold the car in 2017. Sorry I can’t be of more assistance.

[Spider]

*** Nothing to do with the original Thread Topic (hope you don't mind) ***

 

 Just 2 set ups as far as I'm aware: separate cables for each side or a single front cable  that pulls a rear cable. The number and location of holes in the exhaust tunnel will tell you which you need. Saloon cables are shorter than vans and estates, but all rear cables are the same.

 

There's actually quite a few Cables.

 

Twin Saloon
Single Saloon

Twin Van / Pick-up

Single Van / Pick-up

Mini Moke

Moke

 

 

Regardless, coming back to the issue that this thread is all about, I can't see any way around this other than to do some tin bashing, but, if it were me, I'd possibly be inclined to live with it.

[minstix]

I just came across this thread which is a few years old now but I thought I'd add my input anyway. I'm rebuilding a Mini Cooper S MK2 which I've owned for many decades and have had other elderly twin handbrake cable minis in the past as well.

 

The simple answer is that the two cables rubbing on the ridge of the tunnel underneath, just to the rear of where the cables go through the floor is quite normal. My Cooper S is no exception. You need to grease the area where it rubs and that's it. The cables do eat through the paint and wear into the steel where they make contact. Provided it's well greased, it will take a very long time before it really eats through the ridge.

 

After totally dismantling my car, restoring it (it retaind its original floor) I could see that the wear on the ridge in both cases was only a fraction of the thickness of the metal after 100,000 or more miles. You would have to clock up another few hundred thousand miles before it would wear right through. The ridges on the tunnel are there to add rigidity. That one also acts as a cable giude.

 

It's crude, but minis were built down to a price. Whether it was designed to be like this I don't know but my 1965 Hornet was the same. I hope this helps if anyone returns to this post.

 

Steve

 

 

[KRDraper]

I just came across this thread which is a few years old now but I thought I'd add my input anyway. I'm rebuilding a Mini Cooper S MK2 which I've owned for many decades and have had other elderly twin handbrake cable minis in the past as well.

 

The simple answer is that the two cables rubbing on the ridge of the tunnel underneath, just to the rear of where the cables go through the floor is quite normal. My Cooper S is no exception. You need to grease the area where it rubs and that's it. The cables do eat through the paint and wear into the steel where they make contact. Provided it's well greased, it will take a very long time before it really eats through the ridge.

 

After totally dismantling my car, restoring it (it retaind its original floor) I could see that the wear on the ridge in both cases was only a fraction of the thickness of the metal after 100,000 or more miles. You would have to clock up another few hundred thousand miles before it would wear right through. The ridges on the tunnel are there to add rigidity. That one also acts as a cable giude.

 

It's crude, but minis were built down to a price. Whether it was designed to be like this I don't know but my 1965 Hornet was the same. I hope this helps if anyone returns to this post.

 

Steve

Thanks for the great info Steve, could you please tell me does each cable have two metal handbrake fairleads and one rubber bushing?

Thanks

Kent

[minstix]

Sorry, only spotted this after your question from a year ago. There are two little metal plates and two rubber pieces on each cable. So a total for four metal plates and four rubber pieces per car.

 

The originals weren't made from rubber but were a kind of card impergnated with bitumen or similar. Not very good to be honest, they crack and break up. So I made some from some thin rubber sheet and assembled it all with lots of red rubber grease where the cable goes through and where the cables run on that ridge. The whole thing is very crude. but seems to work.