Got a problem with my hand brake cable on my mk3 escos, its too long, is there a way to cut off the extra bit and re crimp the hoop back on or a replacement?







Theres about ten inches too much, the other side is tight and everything is adjusted to where it should be and is attached to the handbrake lever and we now have this excess. Any ideas? Even thinking about hand making a new hoop witha grub screw or crimp it again after cutting to length?

 

The proper way would be to get it remade. You might struggle to find that exact end fitting.

Mine was too long so it was shortened on the cable to one side of the equalising yoke. I resued the cable clamps i had, but you can buy adjusters and solderless nipples etc to make it look neat.

If its too much to shorten and the join looks like it might foul the yoke or the cable shrouds, you can try shortening the link wire to the handbrake if there is room and the angles work out right.

Mine was too long and i had to cut out a loop this big:


These were the kind of clips i used:

Not pretty, a bit of a bodge but they work and it was already on the car so i reused it.

Just remember dont cut it too short, do it a bit long then cut off more so it sits within the adjustment range on the cable.

 

the hand brake cable on my mk2 escort is a shortened sierra cossy one i used wire rope crimps like this to shorten the cable .find a suitable position on the floor pan to cut cable over lapthe two halves & crimp to the desired length .mine was done 12 yrs ago still going fine .
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50-4-5MM-A...0#ht_556wt_698
but you would need a heavy duty crimper like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ferrule-WI...9#ht_834wt_698

the cheaper alternative is go to your local chandlers (yacht parts )get them to crimp it .

 

will a rs2k cable be no good? we used on on mate rst when i did rear brake convertion

 

www.speedycables.co.uk

http://www.controlsandcables.com/ind...den-cable.html

I wouldnt think those DIY bolted together versions would pass an MOT ( certainly no chance over here ), even if they may be pretty strong.

 

No reason why not over here if it appears to be plenty strong enough.

 

It would need to be fully crimped as per factory here, no DIY stuff like that.

 

well in our handbook it goes on about frayed/knotted cables etc and at the end mentions innapropriate modification as a reason for rejection.

Shortening a cable with a strong enough join should IMO not be considered innapropriate, but that depends on the discretion of your mot man being logical and rational.

 

You could try a norsman type fitting these are used on yacht rigging, try find a yachting/boat type chandlery they may be able to swage you a fitting on the end.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4MM-STAINL...item20b4d7b81f

 

Whilst I would agree a well clamped up cable especially with 3 clamps would be pretty strong, and maybe even stronger that an OEM single crimp. If I was a tester I'd still fail it.

I wouldnt want to be held in any way accountable for passing something I deemed inappropriate that if it did fail, the results could be nasty.
That's how a tester would view it....will it come back and bite him ? A very small chance, but it is a chance. The bolts could work loose etc ( yes I know the chances are almost none )

Re above. That's a nice looking piece. What exactly do the boat guys use them for ? I'd still debate if that was strong enough, but it would probably get overlooked by an MOT tester as it would appear OEM

When you searc ebay etc for marine and boatcraft stuff, there is some nice gear, and often not too expensive.

 

stevie you could argue that on any modification on a cars testable componants, be it ap 6 pots, gaz coilovers etc which carry no type approval.......

but that would be irrational and IMO same with a handbrake cable. 1 clamp would probably be strong enough... 3 should be overkill and the odds should pale into insignificance. you could argue that ap 6 pots might leak..... or suspension might collapse on a pothole.

 

oh plus youre forgetting the MoT get out clause that it assesses those componants ONLY at the instant of the test and makes no implication about future roadworthyness.

 

Totally different. Those are all products designed and tested by a legit manufacturer who would be able to offer data on suitability for what they are used for. ( many of which carry TUV or some sort of independent approval ).

There really is no comparison.

If the OEM have never constructed a handbrake cable with clamps like that, then I cant imagine a tester ever passing it.

Likewise with DIY braided hosing that you bolt together yourself. All brake hoses are supposed to be fully crimped, again so there is no chance they can work loose ( again, user error risk ). They are supposed to be an MOT fail, although many go un-noticed.

 

These are refured to swagless terminals and offer around 80% efficiency of a wires/cables breaking strain, they are uesd for mast rigging, stays, hand rails all sorts realy.

There are meny types of fittings eye, clevis/pin, threaded.

 

let me have a look at mine, as i did some think else and i never cut mine