RS Motorsport :: Classic Speed Restored

Hi all,

Does anyone have a working hydraulic and mechanical handbrake set up on their car?

I have a R31 rear brakes on my car (well, the whole rear diff assembly) and when I initially got the car up and running years ago I tried using a hydraulic handbrake set up, but the calipers didn't appear to like the hydraulic handbrake arrangement and as a result, my rear brake calipers kept seizing.

Eventually, I decommissioned the master cylinder and have lived with the beyond average mechanical handbrake ever since. But, I am over it now and want a handbrake capable of locking the rear wheels easily.

I haven't done a whole heap of research, but the two most obvious options to me are:

1. Change my rear brakes to a factory arrangement with internal rear drums. I am sure there are quite a few types out there that can be adapted to my Borg Warner Housing.

2. Put some decent calipers on the rear and buy some mechanical handbrake calipers as per this link: http://www.gt40s.com/forum/attachment.p ... 1249983130
http://www.gt40s.com/forum/superformanc ... ipers.html

I want to keep a mechanical handbrake as my car is a road car and secondly it is nice to have a back up if disaster strikes.

As always any advice / help would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Damion

Something like this?

http://www.gartrac.com/shop/tarmac-rear ... brake.html

Hello Damo,

What handbrake master you using ? Not all work for handbrake duty.

Basically if the caliper releases with foot brakes it should with hydraulic handbrake, if it don't then the handbrake master is the wrong type.

I've only got mechanical and like the progressive nature of the mechanical, but then I have a Escort / Hilux / R31 mix n match.

Cheers
John

Hi Damion,

Using R31 calipers and running a hydraulic hand brake through the system will result in what you've experienced, it seems the adjuster inside is too sensitive to adjustment. I have had it happen with the rallycar, and discussions with anyone else that's run the R31 caliper in local rallies suggests they've had a similar issue.

I have been experimenting by running a second set of calipers, with the hydraulic handbrake on a seperate circuit. I'm thinking of ditching this soon as the unsprung weight isn't worth the hassle. Commodore rear calipers are the same dimensions as the R31 caliper, and don't have the cable handbrake, but the hose fitting is a little exposed for my liking, but could be used with one of those hydraulic handbrakes with the locking tab to still operate as a normal handbrake, if you wanted to look at that option.

Cheers.

how about this setup ?
if it was me i would set this up using the hyd with reversed ratchet
and simply conect the cable to the lever so they work in tandem
to satisfy the rules

Thanks for the replies.

Marty, I have seen those.. they are a bit pricey for me and I would also prefer to stick to something that I can readily get pads for.

John, it is a Wilwood master, same style as what we use in Escort pedal boxes. I bought it as a kit from Rally Design I think. It works in conjunction with the standard handbrake lever. Sort of a copy of the Gartrac ones. Does your handbrake work ok with the r31 calipers?

Tanz, yeah I did some further research and found that quite a few people have had issues with hydraulic handbrakes with these calipers. I think I will look into adapting another set of calipers, but I am not sure what..

I was looking under the back of a 180SX this morning that was up on a hoist and I noticed that it has mechanical handbrake calipers and those guys certainly like to use handbrakes, so maybe that is something to look into.. I have read that a few people are using R32 Skyline calipers, but from memory they use internal drums for the handbrake??

Steve, I can see a cable, but I can't quite figure out what is going on there.. Yeah, my plan is to be able to use both in tandem as you say. Maybe have the cable backed off a bit so the hydraulic handbrake does all the work.

Cheers.

Hmm,

I am beginning to think that I should just find some calipers that will work with a mech handbrake and be done with the hydraulic madness.

Maybe I should go back to the 9" drums

i bought mine from logan supercheap has many other uses as well......

I have had the same issue with the R31 callipers and although i went and bought a set of commodore callipers i initially solve the issue by removing the hand brake mechanism nut and thrust washers inside of the piston have a look here http://wiki.r31skylineclub.com/index.ph ... piston.jpg this solver the callipers seizing

Just to add Keith from KCF Rallysport runs twin rear r31 callipers with the internals removed on a twin circuit, a integral master cylinder for the hand brake to 1 set of callipers and the pedal box that feeds the other set similar to the works Escorts

What pads are all you blokes using that are having handbrake drama ?

Do the pads have the lump on the backing plate to match the piston groove, that holds the pistons at the right angle ?

If the things don't lock on with hydraulic foot brakes, why would they lock on with hydraulic handbrake ? Makes me thick something is wrong with the setup not the caliper.

I use SAAB calipers & disc that have a mechanical handbrake with a Hydraulic handbrake as well for many years

They are real strict down here checking to make sure you still have a mechanical handbrake if you also have a hydraulic

does seem to be weird if so many people are reparting problems with the R31 setup....are they in the same position / rotation as on a R31?? no air locks or the like??????