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Handbrake cables hanging down underneath car

6K views 32 replies 10 participants last post by  Mighty-147 
#1 ·
On my 147 both handbrake cable clips and screws have snapped, meaning that the cables are now just loosely dangling underneath the car.

I've already had a go at fixing them back up, but the original mounts were welded onto a metal sheet right next to the fuel tank.

The only way I could see to fix this is to drill a new hole and screw a new clip on, but due to the close proximity of the fuel tank I don't think this is a good idea.

There are also 2 more mounting points closer to the rear brakes which I have tried to tie up with cable ties but these just snap eventually.

Anyone else got any ideas? I can put up some pictures later of the issue if that helps.
 
#3 ·
The clips on my 156 pushed into the slot in the bracket .. no screws involved!
 
#5 ·
For the spring-steel tubular C-section clamps, screw-mount cable tie anchors and pop rivets (instead of screws), then cable ties, perhaps.

I can't for the life of me remember what the clips were like at the wheel ends, although I only replaced my cables last year.
 
#6 ·
The offside one just uses s clip in the fuel tank strap, the nearside I used an alloy p clip bolted to the heatsheild to replace the original strap that was there.
The bits nearer the calipers come with the cables snd bolt onto 2 little brackets fixed to the body, you can just see them near the axle stand.
 

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#12 ·
Wow. Utterly immaculate. If that was a woman it would be Olga Kurylenko. Nice to look at but very talented also judging by strut brace, Quaife diff and very lightweight wheels. What are they, BTW?
Perhaps not as impressed by Nangkang track day tyres but as I've never tried them, I cannot have a valid opinion.

If the next contract comes off for me and you ever feel like selling it, I'd like to know. Failing that, I'll see it on Chasing Classic Cars in a few years. It is that good.

Simply very, very nice.

Very well done.
 
#13 ·
Thanks, sadly I don't forsee a day when i would sell, but I'll let you know if I ever do.

The wheels are OZ Legerra Hlt, think they suit the car, but i know the colour is a bit Marmite and have had a few haters, but hey we are all different.

As for the Ns-2r tyres, they are amazingly good in dry weather, to the point that I have actually scared myself trying to find the limit before they break away, and suprisingly in the wet, they are not that bad, although I do tend to be a bit careful.
 
#18 ·
Right I've ordered Genuine Alfa Handbrake Cables.
This'll be my 3rd set I think since getting the car in 2007 (2001 car).
Also the car was stored for about 4.5 years; in a garage on a flat surface.
Handbrake was probably on just one ratchet notch.

1. Is it best advised I also get the cable that goes from them to the actual handbrake?..
Is it best practise?
Will it just depend on condition I guess?

2. One of my current cables on driver-side has fissured on the outside rubber and I guess probably rusted inside a bit - explaining the seizing and almost total seize last time there was a UK freeze about a few weeks ago; it took a while for it to become released.

Anyway, so before the new handbrake cables Left & Right are installed; should I put a load of grease/ lubricant down them?
I'm not sure if I can easily take the cable itself out and smear some grease over it; maybe I can squirt some lubricant in the sleeve and then grease up the visible cable at both ends?

Any advice/ thoughts including best grease to use appreciated!
 
#20 ·
The cables these days aren't the best and are a far cry from all metal cables which had a grease nipple. These had a far smoother action.

I've never had to change the short primary cable which connects to the handbrake lever. When adjusting the handbrake, only take the free play out. Tightening further just seems to wear the calipers faster. Use the handbrake plenty at junctions, traffic lights. Movement seems to keep things free. Leaving the handbrake on overnight or when in storage is not so good. Don't haul the handbrake on tightly. It only needs to hold the car the same way a bolt only needs to hold something on (with sufficient force for all different situations). I always leave it in gear for the direction it is likely to move.
 
#21 ·
I'll be getting a mechanic to do the job anyway, but I'll want the same tension.

The last time I had the cables replaced there was too much slack and I pulled the lever up high.
It came towards me slanting to the right hand side and I inadvertently cracked the plastic centre console.
I was livid and still am.

The driveway is on a slope so I put the lever on quite a reasonable amount plus I leave it in gear always just in case; however I leave it in gear for the opposite direction so if it's facing up the slope I leave it in 1st gear.
I had a friend who's MGF's handbrake failed on them on quite a slope and did some damage when it finally stopped rolling.
 
#25 ·
Right,..

I thought if I parked facing downhill, then I'd want the gear in reverse; as it's the opposite direction I want the car to go.
As in if it's in first gear forward facing downhill then the car is still able to move forward potentially.
That was my theory.
Likewise with as it's parked now, facing uphill, I've put four clicks on the handbrake, let the car rest onto the brakes, then put it in first gear as I want it to be counteracting the direction that it would move if the brakes failed.
That was my theory.
I hadn't considered a jump of the cambelt.
Which I had changed recently and know the importance of keeping that intact!

If the brakes did fail and the car moved and the gear was left in the direction it was going in; obviously the gear would prevent an immediate roll, but would the car move in that direction slowly? (if it was steep enough?)

When I park up on a level spot, ie. a flat carpark; I never leave it more than 2 clicks on the handbrake, usually one click if I've stopped and the car doesn't roll, as to give the handbrake cables a rest...
 
#26 ·
I've always learned to swing the wheels to run against the curb, if you park on a hill. Obviously an issue, if there is no curb to "lean against". I mostly park on level surface though, so always just leave my car in 1st - hardly ever use my handbrake.
 
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#27 ·
Thanks, yes I know about this and it’s sound advice.

There’s no kerb on the drive but I do use this option when parking on a hill.
Steer the front wheel so it’ll turn into the kerb if the worst happens.
I’ve seen others do this and once saw that a person had released it so the tyre was already engaging the kerb.
Unfortunately they had gone too far a d there was quite the angular pinch into the tyre edge.
That’ll knacker the structure of that edge and sidewall quite a bit!
 
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