E - brake and other questions..

[TurboFource]

I have seen some complaints about the Europa emergency brakes. Is the problem
there is not enough travel in the system so the amount of "slack" is critical or is it hard to pull
the handle to engage the brakes? I figured while the car is still apart I should address any concerns with
this system.

Am I correct that the front brakes, trunnions, ball joints and tie rod ends etc. are off a Spitfire?

So many things still to be done.........

[4129R]

The rear brake shoes and the whole hand braking system have to be properly adjusted and in excellent working order for the brake to have any noticeable effect.

There is very limited travel on the handle you pull, that is on a 5.5:1 reduction lever, so there is very little actual movement going down 2 cables to move the lever to operate the brake shoes.

Adjusting the slack in the cable is a "challenge".

The front suspension/steering  is mostly Triumph Spitfire/Herald.

[jbcollier]

If you leave off the “etc”* then, yes, it is mostly Spitfire Mk1.


* what you listed, yes.  Anything else (arms, bushings, shocks, springs), no.

[jbcollier]

The main problem with the e-brake system is poor mechanical advantage.  As built, you lose mechanical advantage as the handle is pulled.  You can see that here:

[jbcollier]

What I did was completely rework the system to move the pull-handle out of the way, and, to have maximum mechanical advantage at full extension.  You’ll need the opposite main lever to what you have now to move it into the passenger compartment like this:

[TurboFource]

JB ...the pics are huge and I am having trouble seeing what you did.....as I have to keep scrolling back and forth up and down etc

[jbcollier]

Sorry, I’m not at home and working from a tiny phone screen.  Try downloading them and see if that helps.

[jbcollier]

Here’s the relevant links:

https://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-HTZxsr2

https://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-JGVKjFN

https://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-7cfKc95

https://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-JZ4NsLD

https://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-QnNpM5B

https://jbcollier.smugmug.com/Lotus-Europa/i-mQWgbTh

[TurboFource]

Thanks JB....will give it a shot later this evenin

[TurboFource]

JB... in the first two pics the original setup is still there?

Any trouble reaching over the tunnel to pull your e-brake?

[jbcollier]

Yes, the first two pictures show how mechanical advantage reduces the further the handle moves out.

I find the relocated lever is very easy to reach.  Actually easier than the stock location.

[TurboFource]

Thanks JB, I will have to look at this closer....I would like the thing to actually work

[TurboFource]

JB pointed out the farther the e-brake arm travels the less effective it is.

So I lengthened the arm so it moves farther in the initial travel.... I calculate it
should move 47% farther but that also means it will be harder to pull. Will it
work..... If it doesn't it will be easy enough to put back to stock.
I lengthened the arm by the center distance between the e-brake slots so now the
cable will go through the other one.

[BDA]

Clever use of the right-hand drive side of the frame! 

[jbcollier]

Interesting.  Please let us know how it works out.