Board logo

Shortening Handbrake Cable
mikeb - 5/9/16 at 12:26 PM

Hi,

Whats the quickest and easiest way to shorten a seirra cable for drum brakes.
The cable is in the car and connected to the brakes.

Shorten at handbrake lever end, is there an off the shelf IVA approved cable joiner.
Shorten on one side and put a new nipple on, if so how do you put a new nipple on?

I won't have long to do this so after quick and simple

Thanks

Mike


pekwah1 - 5/9/16 at 12:43 PM

I had to shorten my throttle cable, and ended up wrapping it round the connection point and creating a loop with a cable clamp like this:


benchmark51 - 5/9/16 at 01:08 PM

Have a look here.....

http://www.steelwirerope.com/GalvanisedFittings/ferrules/index.html#.V81t9zVgFdg


SJ - 5/9/16 at 01:26 PM

If you have a mig, chop the cable to the required length at the drum and weld a blob on the end.


nick205 - 5/9/16 at 01:57 PM

I chopped a section out of the cable then drilled a hole through a bolt and use the bolt with a nut to clamp both ends of the shortened cable together.


CosKev3 - 5/9/16 at 05:39 PM

pretty sure the cable clamps will fail IVA

As above,you just need to cut one end of the cable off and reattach the end,what does the drum end of cable look like?

If it's the same as a disc braked hand brake cable you can get new ends that use grub screws


CosKev3 - 5/9/16 at 05:44 PM

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/3/viewthread.php?tid=180383


mikeb - 5/9/16 at 06:19 PM

I've ordered some some cable clamps but will try shortening on the drum end. It's just a nipple so maybe weld a small nut on the end if I can do it insitu

[Edited on 5/9/16 by mikeb]


SteveWalker - 5/9/16 at 08:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mikeb
I've ordered some some cable clamps but will try shortening on the drum end. It's just a nipple so maybe weld a small nut on the end if I can do it insitu

[Edited on 5/9/16 by mikeb]


The recommended Robin Hood way was to cut at the drum, cut-off and drill lengthwise along a short piece of bolt, put the cable through the stub of bolt and put a blob of weld on the end. Mine's been on for 17 years now.


40inches - 5/9/16 at 09:49 PM

I used the cut and clamp way, passed IVA and still OK after 3500 miles.
Description
Description


Ugg10 - 5/9/16 at 10:31 PM

I have used one of these on my Sierra handbrake cable (disc) in my Anglia that needed shortening, chop one end off and put this baby on it. A call to MK will confirm if it is iva compliant, you can also add a blob of epoxy/solder as belt and braces once the right length.

http://www.mksportscars.com/parts-c3/cables-c7/reusable-handbrake-cable-end-p137