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Handbrake: Uncomfortable
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Alan Smith
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Joined: 10 Jan 2016
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Location: Littleborough, Lancashire

PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 12:52 pm    Post subject: Handbrake: Uncomfortable Reply with quote

I find the original MGA handbrake very restrictive and uncomfortable as it presses against the side of my leg.
I don't think I am alone in this as I am sure I have seen it mentioned quite a few times.
Has anyone found a better alternative for the handbrake itself and the location?





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Last edited by Alan Smith on Sun Jan 17, 2021 7:35 pm; edited 2 times in total
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keith hamer
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Location: Ellesmere Port

PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 3:37 pm    Post subject: Handbrake Reply with quote

That looks like an MGB handbrake not an MGA, and it's fitted the wrong way round. It should go through the transmission tunnel and the cable fund along the inside of the tunnel. Being fitted that way round it sticks much further into the cabin.
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Last edited by keith hamer on Sun Jan 17, 2021 12:44 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Alan Smith
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Location: Littleborough, Lancashire

PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 4:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Shocked
That would explain a lot.
I always thought it was an awful arrangement and now I know why!
Thanks Keith.
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Alan Smith
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 4:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm still interested to know if anyone has found any better alternative donor handbrakes and fitting locations.
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Dave-M
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:35 pm    Post subject: Olympic Reply with quote

Alan, A couple of pictures of the MGA handbrake lever that was fitted to my car.

In the morning I will get a picture of exactly where it was fitted to the tunnel, from memory it was not obtrusive at all while driving the car.

As has been said, the operating lever fits inside the transmission tunnel with just the lever exposed in the cabin.

I suspect that finding an MGA lever may be next to impossible but if you can let me know what the operating system is fitted to your back axle/ brakes I might
have a possible solution.








Regards, Dave
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keith hamer
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 12:52 pm    Post subject: olympic handbrake Reply with quote

Its not impossible to modify your MGB handbrake to fit in the correct position/attitude, it does depend on how long the pivot is and what the mounting plate/pivot looks like.

Not sure how helpful the pictures are but it willl give you some idea of what would be involved. Top image MGB, bottom image MGA.






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Gary Tipping
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 4:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi, I've been looking at these handbrakes, they have alternatives for side to tunnel top mounting.

https://www.triggerhandbrakes.com/Clubman.html

Gary
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Alan Smith
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Location: Littleborough, Lancashire

PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 5:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Dave
The rear axle & brakes are Riley 1.5.
I'm not sure if the cable operating system is Riley 1.5 or not, but I am happy enough with it as it is and would like to keep it for now.
There is a single cable from the handbrake which runs along the bottom of the transmission tunnel to a mechanism (technical name unkown) that connects to the 2 single cables leading to each rear brake.
I would like to keep it simple, install a new handbrake and connect it to the existing single cable in the cockpit.
Hope this info is helpful.
What did you have in mind?
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Alan Smith
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 6:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Keith
Thanks for the info.
Here are some photos of the handbrake.
It doesn't look like the MGB?
Also, it looks like it is designed to fit on the left hand side of the transmission tunnel, unless it is a custom modified handbrake?
I've had a play around and it looks like it might fit OK on the LH side without any modifications being needed.
I like the idea of it being out of my space, also the ergonomics of reaching it don't seem too bad, although I would need a trial fit to test it out properly.
Do you know if anyone else has fitted on the LH side?





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Alan Smith
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 6:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Gary,
Those are beautiful.
A bit out of my price range - I'm more of a locost guy Very Happy
Good info for the Forum though.
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Gary Tipping
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 6:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Alan,

I agree, they are pricey! The way it's going not sure if my budget will stretch to one.

A mate of mine is fitting an MX5 handbrake to the left of the tunnel on his Lotus Europa, that looks ok. I might have a look at that for mine.

Gary
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Alan Smith
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 7:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've also been playing around with a classic mini handbrake to see how it looks and feels on top of the transmission tunnel.
For good ergonomics it would need to be close up to the gearlever (MM 1098) and it feels like it might be too far back to operate comfortably.
But, again, it needs a trial fit to really tell how it feels in practice, so I might give it a whirl.
A few more holes to fill aren't a problem at this stage of my recommissioning Very Happy
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Howard Evans
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 18, 2021 10:29 am    Post subject: Olympic Handbrake Reply with quote

Hello Alan,

On my car, the handbrake is rearward compared with yours. The mechanism is located between the seat cushion and the tunnel, covered with a leather gaiter, and the lever falls comfortably to hand without intruding on the leg position.

Regards,

Howard
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Alan Smith
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 18, 2021 11:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Howard
That makes sense to me as there is more space at the side of the seat because the transmission tunnel is narrower there, whereas it starts flaring out wider further forward.
It's good to hear the ergonomics are OK with it pulled further back into that position.
Regards
Alan
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Dave-M
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 18, 2021 2:41 pm    Post subject: handbrake Reply with quote

Alan, A poor photo but it shows where the handbrake is positioned on my car.




The relevant dimensions are 130mm vertical and 400mm horizontal and the handbrake lever when fitted is around 20 to 30degrees above horizontal.
Perhaps Howard can post a picture of his set up?

I think, as you do, that the lever assembly on your car is not MGB, Here is a picture of an MGB lever.





I think that the MGB lever would fit your car well at the position shown above and more importantly it would put the cable in the prop shaft tunnel and not inside your car.

It would also look better if you don't mind me saying and be a little safer.

Just out of curiosity, are there any part numbers stamped on the lever fitted in your car. It looks to have been fitted to a LHD car or to the RHS of the seat on a RHD car.

Regards, Dave
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