Im in a quandry....

Im looking to solve the frankly shocking handbrake situation of my Cinq (it is frankly diabolical and has always been like that) by altering the handbrake lever so it drives a master cylinder that works two slave cylinders on the rear axle.

I cant get a straight answer from VOSA as IMO they dont appear to understand the problem. I emailed them and got the following back:

"With regards to the fitment of an hydraulic handbrake system to your
vehicle, under Construction & Use, a parking brake must be capable of being
operated using a control which is independent of the service brake and
capable once applied of being maintained in the *on* position solely by a
mechanical means. To this extent, an hydraulic handbrake is deemed
unacceptable for use as such. However, they may be used to assist the
application or release of a mechanical brake."

Hang on a second....isnt the thing that holds the mechanical handbrake 'on' the ratchet? So if I modified the handbrake lever but retained the ratchet it would be OK, yes??

Apparently not. According to MOT regulations, for post 1968 cars...the handbrake may be failed "if the parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only. "

How is a hydraulic system any different to a cable and pivot arm? Its still a direct mechanical action regardless and its still held on by a ratchet!

Your input would be appreciated, especially that from authorised MOT testers...

yeah often wondered this but i assume the thinking is even with on brake fluid the car can be held.
must admit since getting the vectra i had forgotton what a 'proper' handbrake felt like

could post here
http://www.motester.co.uk/forums/

It has to be mechanically operated ie cables in a on position.

If it was hydraulic, ie you held the pedal down then operated a bias controller shut thus locking the pressure, if there was a leak from a seal etc u would lose parking brake and if not in gear the car would move involuntary, which is less likely with a fixed lever and cables.

What about going over to rear disc brakes from a uno t, or putting punto drum/shoe combo on as i know how cr#p the handbrake can be on sei/cinq's

fiattech said:

It has to be mechanically operated ie cables in a on position.

If it was hydraulic, ie you held the pedal down then operated a bias controller shut thus locking the pressure, if there was a leak from a seal etc u would lose parking brake and if not in gear the car would move involuntary, which is less likely with a fixed lever and cables.

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Secondary circuit so no pdeals etc, its held on purely by the ratchet.

Its a fair point saying about failure, but as well known, handbrake cables do snap, failure could and would happen regardless of the system used....

TBH i always liked the vauxhall rear disc set up.rear disc brakes but the inside of the disc is a mini drum brake(cable operated) meaning you dont have issues of discs cooling and the pads losing grip

arseofbox said:

Secondary circuit so no pdeals etc, its held on purely by the ratchet.

Its a fair point saying about failure, but as well known, handbrake cables do snap, failure could and would happen regardless of the system used....

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... cable snapping is less likely than a leak under pressure though, VW have gone over to electrically operated handbrakes - think its a motor which pulls the cables - so as standard theres no lever just a button on the dash, dont know how u stand with mot/vosa there though ???

you can buy hydraulic hand brake, and they say not road legal on them

fiattech said:

... cable snapping is less likely than a leak under pressure though, VW have gone over to electrically operated handbrakes - think its a motor which pulls the cables - so as standard theres no lever just a button on the dash, dont know how u stand with mot/vosa there though ???

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Its alright I believe, Ive heard of kitcar builders passing SVA with them.

description was pretty clear to me, add hydrolics but leave it so the cable still holds it, that would pass

carry a brick in the boot and put it by the wheel when parked

volvo's also use the drum inside a disc feature, and bigger audi's and Bm's and merc's use a stupid foot brake thing that gets in the way of your knee when driving

It actually works rather well too, if your twin circuit hydro foot brake fails (did several times on teh volvo in kazahkstan, ABS cut in and the footbrake wouldn' work atall!) you can yank the handle on teh volvo and will stop the car really rather well!!
the merc one worked quite well too, but then the drum brake bit caught fire and I had to pee on it to put it out no more rear brakes for the next 3,000miles!! volvo lost its front brakes at pretty much the same time, and had another 4,500miles to go until fin!!

lets just say, it was interesting!!

arseofbox said:

Its alright I believe, Ive heard of kitcar builders passing SVA with them.

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Sorry, but its a SVA fail.