I reckon I need a season ticket for this forum!

Today I stopped smartly at a junction using the handbrake and accidently let the ratchet catch as well. So after the front axle had settled back in position and tightened the front brake cable, the handbrake was well and truly jammed on.

Somehow it released with the aid of BFI.

I now no longer have the Catch, part number BK6. It appears that this may not be a part that suppliers keep, unless anyone knows better.

So I may have to make one, but I am not sure what else I need, see picture. Has anyone got a picture of the catch or the handbrake assembly that I could make some sense from? Or the dimensions of the catch.

In the meantime folded up beermat keeps the handbrake away from the fabric coupling and a couple of wedges of wood jam suffice to keep the handbrake on when car is at rest.

Thanks Roly

Location: Upton upon Severn

Crikey Roly, you must have arms like Arnold Schwarzenegger!

I would imagine our cherished suppliers should be able to help as it's an iteme that does wear out, if not a second hand one should be fairly easy to find.

Location: Near Bicester and nowhere near Europe

Location: Upton upon Severn

Roly,

this is the part assembled, not too clear as everything is painted black!



The part you have lost looks like this:










I am unaware of anyone who makes them new and the early ones like yours are a much smaller and less easily obtainable item than the later larger ones.

The later ones can, however, be carefully ground to fit, best to remove the handbrake lever from the pivot so you can get a good fit in the sleeve.

You may also find that the threads have stripped on the release rod (most probably what has happened and the cause of it's disappearance). I would recommend buying the more easily obtainable later (Ruby/box) handbrake from which you can use the rod (shortened) and the wedge (modified to fit). Tony Betts and others will be able to supply you I am certain.

Hope this helps.

That is really helpful.

Now I see the object, I'll go and have another look at the road junction and see if I can spot that shape of the catch. More in hope.......

Thanks

Roly

Location: Upton upon Severn

No problem and good luck Roly...

Hi Roly, take a look at John Barlow's website here
He is listing:B18 Hand brake parts uncoupled assembly 35.00
D bolt £2.50, Early Pawl £2.50 Swivels 2.50
D Shoe £2.50 'D' bolt brass support Machined 4.00 Unmachined 3.00
Pressed handle 2.50 Alum. Handles 2.50

Ian Mc.

Location: Shropshire

Thanks for posting that Ian, I have been after some early ones for quite some time now.

Location: Shropshire

Roly I have recently purchased all the exact same bits you need from John Barlow. Give him a call.

Location: Farnham

Thanks everyone, I'll contact John in the morning.

Roly

Location: Upton upon Severn

Roly,

The pawl is fiddly to replace but a new one with new pair of ratchets make a great improvement to the sometimes 'fly off' handbrake!

Tony.

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Adding on to yesterday's experiences. I performed my first night run back from the pub. I was pleasantly surprised that I could actually see a little further than the illuminated wings. Maybe wishful thinking but I am sure I was angrily flashed at by a couple of oncoming cars! Certainly on arrival at home the light source does seem nice and bright even if the resulting beam is a little uncontrolled. Lets what creative responses that brings.....

On the downside (another one) my laptop was destroyed somehow by the Austin. The plan was that a friend would do some filming with a Go Hero camera, and that we would view the results on my laptop while having a beer. Probably the filming was ok but when we switched the laptop on to look at the results, it was clear (possible oxymoron here) that the LCD display had failed and was showing a reasonable interpretation of The works of Jackson Pollock). It had been placed in a vertical position between the front seats. I guess the vibration of the car did for it. Replacement panel ordered.

Roly

Location: Upton upon Severn

Parts ordered and received the following day. Great service!

All I have to do now is fit them.

Laptop screen ordered and received and fitted. Horrible job on a Lenovo, connecting cables are all 1/2" too short too easily manipulate the different components. I am amazed that everything still worked on re-assembly. Dell laptops are much easier in their build construction. Now I can go and see what the filming the other night of the A7 was like.

Roly

Location: Upton upon Severn