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Rear brake cables

Rear cables traditionally have a pinch bolted clevis attaching to the brake levers on the cross shaft and, at the other end either a cup/balljoint (in the case of earlier models) or a fixed clevis (in the case of later models).
Is there any good reason why I can't reverse the cables on my Opal and have the pinch bolted clevis at the rear axle and the fixed clevis coming from the cross shaft? Adjusting cable lengths with the pinch bolt at the front is a nightmare because the compensating mechanism gets in the way and it is virtually impossible to disconnect/connect the brake cable without taking everything to pieces. Adjustment of the cable length with a pinch bolt at the back axle would be a doddle.

Location: Sheffield

Re: Rear brake cables

My RP has the clamp clevis at the rear, no problems in operation and a doddle to adjust.

Location: Piddle Valley

Re: Rear brake cables

Placing the adjuster at the rear is a stroke of genius, since seeing it on another car for the first time I have done many like this.

Re: Rear brake cables

Never thought of turning the cables round so that the adjusters are to the rear. Simple idea, obvious when you think about it.

Steve

Location: North Yorkshire

Re: Rear brake cables

A turnbuckle would be even better as mentioned by someone a while ago. Our neighbour has stainless cable and turnbuckles (I think) to hold his vertical concrete flags supporting his garden. They look the correct size for A7 brake cables. One day I will ask him where he bought them.
Dave.

Location: Sheffield

Re: Rear brake cables

Gerald Flockart used these on his Box Saloon and Special Dave - they looked very easy to finely adjust.

Re: Rear brake cables

I have recently fitted turnbuckles on my special,as the floor is easily removed access is easy.Best mod i have done for a long time.
Andy

Re: Rear brake cables

Thanks for all your comments. Seems like I'm on the right track albeit a bit behind the experts!
I agree Dave W that a turnbuckle is a good idea and already have them on my Chummy. They were produced as a grace and favour job by the machine shop manager at work many years ago. A bit heavy but very functional. I have since looked at off the shelf turnbuckles and need to firm up specifications. The clevis fittings of my Opal mean that one end of the turnbuckle could be fitted directly to the brake cam lever and if the other end of the turnbuckle is properly crimped onto the brake cable there would be no need for the dreaded pinch bolts at all. Simple!

Location: Sheffield

Re: Rear brake cables

Stainless steel cable and turnbuckles will be available from almost all marine chandlers.

Location: Near M1 Motorway Jtn 28

Re: Rear brake cables

Ruairidh Dunford
Placing the adjuster at the rear is a stroke of genius, since seeing it on another car for the first time I have done many like this.


This all sounds like an excellent idea but my RP, with what I believe has 'standard' brakes has ball and cup joints at the rear wheels.

If I were to change to a clevis at both ends arrangement which rear brake levers should I be looking for?

Turnbuckles are generally called bottle screws by the boating fraternity. All sorts and sizes are available but I doubt one could find something with wide enough jaws to fit directly onto an existing clevis unless it was quite big. Mind you I haven't looked.

Also...although they have locking nuts they have a habit of unscrewing (on my boats anyway) and are best wired to prevent this.

Re: Rear brake cables

Chris
Try S3i
https://www.s3i.co.uk/stainless-steel-turnbuckle.php

They have a complete range of all sorts of marine and other stainless fittings. At Bawtry so fairly local but give good online service
I have used them for bits for my boat in the past but just not got around to sizing up rigging crews for the RP yet.

Regards
david

Location: NE corner Peak Park

Re: Rear brake cables

I have fitted turnbuckles to the rear brakes on both of my 1930 Austin Sevens.

I manufactured new pieces shown arrowed red in the following photo but made them Six inches long.
 photo P1010741edit_zpskqesmjqx.jpg
This new piece is painted black in the following photos.
The next picture shows it asembled and the following picture shows the assembly with the turn buckle.
 photo P1020597_zpsaltgjnke.jpg
 photo P1020596_zpsqfjen9ty.jpg

By increasing the length of this item, it brings the turn buckle to the edge of the wheel where it is much easier to adjust.
Bryan

Location: Hertfordshire

Re: Rear brake cables

I stand corrected both with regard to my nomenclature and the range of turnbuckles available but fear that Brian's modifications are beyond my meagre skills!

Re: Rear brake cables

That looks a very worthwhile modification. Much better than the adjusters that kink the cable.
I find I have to keep fiddling with the back brakes on my split braked 1929 car. There's no compensation between them and one usually wears more than the other.
If I've been using the back brakes reasonably hard and then stop I get feel both back wheels. If one is hotter than the other I tweak the balance.
Judicious use of an adjuster on one side and the wing nut on the rod from the pedal usually resets things.
Would any supplier consider offering them?

Re: Rear brake cables

When i converted mine i was able to use the eye on the turnbuckle to connect with the original forked end on the shortened cable.I then needed to replicate the forked end on the other side of the turnbuckle so i bought to two clevis ends from a local pnuematics supplier.they are riveted and pinned to the thread.My turnbuckles were from Wickes with an 8mm thread[the ones from Screwfix were a very strange thread and much inferior].
Andy

Re: Rear brake cables

The only caveat I can visualise with such a set-up is the extra weight of the extension and the turnbuckle on a section of the cable which is subject to suspension deflection. Could the momentum exchanges be sufficient to overcome the resistance of the pull-off springs and cause the brake to activate?

Just a thought.

Location: Gard, France 30960. Used to be Languedoc-Roussillon but now it's Occitanie

Re: Rear brake cables

eBay item number:161733000985 maybe these are a good option?

Location: Piddle Valley

Re: Rear brake cables

Peter,
I used one enclosed turnbuckle like this and a similar one with eyelet ends.
I tranfered one clevis end with an eyelet end, giving two turnbuckles, each with one clevis and one eyelet end. See my third picture above.
Bryan

Location: Hertfordshire