Handbrake, Rear brake or Hydraulic handbrake?

[Dr Peter]

I'm still umming and arring about what to do about this.

I'm thinking of going for a Hydraulic handbrake and fitting a cover so an MOT SVAer can't see. (I know an MOTer can’t remove any parts fitted what about SVA?)
The law says it have to be an independent braking system.
Well it is front and rear.
I've seen some other kit cars that have does this has anyone done it on an Ultima?

If not what is the Cable Handbrake from?
Ford Granada Mrk3? Is the steel wire the same length?

The other reason for me thinking about Hydraulic handbrake is the small brembo calliper is just for the handbrake.

Well AP, VW and ford do a calliper which uses fluid and a cable handbrake so the rear would brake at the same time.

OK your have more braking on the rear, but you can dial it out with the bios bar or changing the bore of the master cylinder surely?

[steve_d]

The dead givaway for the SVA is no cable going into the rear wheel area so hydraulic is a non starter.
Why do you want to do something different to the norm.

Steve

[GreenV8S]

Dr Peter said:

Well AP, VW and ford do a calliper which uses fluid and a cable handbrake so the rear would brake at the same time. OK your have more braking on the rear, but you can dial it out with the bios bar or changing the bore of the master cylinder surely?

Not understanding what you are trying to 'dial out', but hydraulic handbrakes are strictly illegal (and for good reason) so it doesn't sound like a good plan to me. Every production car in the country uses a mechanical handbrake so you have no shortage of donor cars for a more conventional solution.

[sssmiles]

the small brembo caliper is £190 per piece! seen on most ferraris these days. It is a very robust and light weight....and expensive
the ultima one looks nice, not one i have seen before

[Rubi]

There has been a lot of development in handbrake's for 4 pot racing calipers of late. There is a company (kit car manufacuturer) do a neat system yjat works by putting a plate with a v shaped pivot on it between the brake caliper pistons and pad back plate, this allows the pad to be pulled on by cocking the plate over with a cable/ Voila a mechanical handbrake. It is claimed to pass SVA etc. Only problem I cannot remember the name of the company and it was not on an AP caliper - it may not fit, you may need different pads with less "meat" on them. The factory system does work rather well and the trouble with all these other methods is by the time you've spent 3 months getting plates machined and developing them to work, it costs more than the factory system would have on day one.

[craig-ultima]

I really like having an independent braking system. Just think about the things that could happen with a hydraulic failure... a rock could spin up through the wheel well and cut a line. Having a completely separate cable link to an emergency/park brake gives you a completely different way to stop the car.

[Dr Peter]

"There has been a lot of development in handbrake's for 4 pot racing callipers of late. There is a company (kit car manufacturer)"

The one I have seen is by Merlin.

This was my other idea, it would be quite easy to make up 4 spacers (2 upper 2 lower)
Then make and drill a plate.
I'd like to see the system in use first.


“I really like having an independent braking system”

You have one.
If your rears go you have the front if they both go, your dam unlucky.

I’m not sure about SVA but the MOT requirement is for and independent system as per craig-ultima post, so in that case a hydraulic handbrake is legal. (I think )After all rally cars have MOT’s

[GreenV8S]

Dr Peter said:

I’m not sure about SVA but the MOT requirement is for and independent system as per craig-ultima post, so in that case a hydraulic handbrake is legal. (I think )After all rally cars have MOT’s

I don't think that's true. I think the requirement is for the parking brake to be mechanically actuated.

[Monza]

Some info for rear handbrake :
Wilwood and Hispecmotorsport are making 2 new rear 4 pot calipers ready for classic handbrake.

Marlin cars has developped an intelligent system (but not very nice), you can see it on http:www.5exi.co.uk

I'm very interested to know the exact reference of the AP or other small rear handbrake calipers that are used on your Ultimas.

[Dr Peter]

Thanks, I've email Marlin about using the system with AP's.
Let see what they say.

[steve_D]

Monza said:

.....I'm very interested to know the exact reference of the AP or other small rear handbrake calipers that are used on your Ultimas.

I don't have a part number but the factory supplied ones I have are Brembo.

Steve

[Monza]

Ultima factory didn't want to sell a set for me because i don't own an Ultima (perhaps one day) but an Ariel Atom ... Ted told me that this was their policy, that i can understand, but regrett to .
I should have told him that handbrakes calipers were the first part of my new GTR building !

[jschwartz]

I have a hydraulic lock plumbed into the rear brakes for a parking device. Works fine. If I ever have a brake failure, I'll downshift or pull the chute.
jeff

[andygtt]

try Gardner douglas (GD cars) as they sell the brembo handbrake calipers for around £90 each.

[Monza]

Thanks Andy

[andygtt]

If its for an Ariel atom it might also be worth speaking to Brammo as he now builds the Atom in the US so may have something off the shelf to fit.
www.brammo.com/