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Folks,

Just been trying to set up '6566' parking brake, as one side was sticking.  It has Wilwood brakes all round on the hydraulic circuit and retains the Girling brakes for the parking brake function.  I found the issue with the sticking being the small plastic part that supports the return spring was cracked and fell apart when I released the parking brake cable that side.  It also damaged the rubber seal.

That is no longer an issue, as I have found a place here in the UK that specialises in fully refurbishing these (and other old vintage/classic) callipers which are also used on the Peugeot 504 etc... they arrive back next week.  I have now looked at the handbrake cable itself and found the left side has come in contact with the exhaust at some point (the cable was replaced 3 years ago) and so I have removed it.  

The questions I have, is why is there a 100mm difference in length of the the left/right cable and if this is correct, which side should have the longer cable (is it to do with the equaliser arm/wheel)?  Also what should the lengths really be as I know some people have shortened them for their particular cars?   I intend to contact a well known cable supplier here who will add additional protection on both sides to hopefully prevent the issue happening again (I note a few other owners here have had similar issues...).  They can also alter the lengths no problem.

Picture attached.

As usual , I look forward to your thoughts.

Regards

 

Adrian

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Images (1)
  • parking brake cable length...?
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Adrian, as far I can remember the cable is asymetric due to the asymetric position of the hand brake lever.  I played witht the cable right/left a bit to figure the best fit under the car/gear box. Mechanically the cable is a "rope" which is beeing pulled, forces on both sides are the same..as far I can recap from the old mechanic static lessions. 

Also Wilwood hand brake calipers incl. mods are nice vs the stock Peugeot stuff..(I have them installed)

Matthias

Last edited by matg

Thanks Matthias,

I thought that as the actual arm is actuating on the wheel which is not fully on the centre line of the car, it would be due to that kind of reason.  I do find the cables at the back tend to form excessive 'loops' and hence kind of bunch up a bit around the gearbox (maybe linked to why the exhaust came in contact with the outer sheath).

Do you recall if the longer cable goes on the left or right?

Thanks

Adrian

 

 

The longer one is to the right as the wheel is more to the left (just crawled  under the car - Brake booster replace and bleeding).

On the loop, well when the original Peugeot Brake calipers where still in place I had more issue with the clearance to the half shafts as the Peugeot require a pretty long loop to feed the 90 deg fixtures (from forward). I used the fixture under the gear box to "alight" the cables there then loop it between halfshaft and lower control  - on the inner side towards the gear box not between Shock and rim!. Again you have to play with them a bit to minimize the "loop" and same time so that cable is "max" straight. 

 With Wilwood handbrake is easier as the fixtures it straight forward, so here now cable goes between rim and shock.
I think non is critical in respect of brake performance more to get max space from the exhaust and half shafts!

Matthias 

Last edited by matg

FWIW, I rebuilt the calipers and parking brake system on 3336 a couple of years ago. I did not notice a difference in the length of the new cable and had no problem during installation. Maybe I just got lucky and will have to take a look. Hard to tell if there is a difference in length from photo below.

Hand Brake Cable

FWIW #2 -- Regarding the rear calipers, I researched like crazy prior to rebuilding my calipers and could never find a Peugeot caliper that looks like the Pantera caliper--similar but not exactly. I did run across a Fiat Dino 2400 caliper that appears to be exactly like the Pantera caliper.

Fiat Dino 2400 Calipers

 

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Images (2)
  • Hand Brake Cable
  • Fiat Dino 2400 Calipers

Hi RLee..,

So that is interesting, attached is a full picture of mine against some floor tiles just to show the difference.  I got the replacement from a very well known Pantera parts supplier in the USA and got it shipped here to the UK.  

Now it opens up more questions!  I wonder if the length is different on yours compared with mine (possibly the same on one side at least)?  I recall the inner core is 3.135m long tip to tip on mine.

As for the callipers, yes I did hear the Fiat Dino had similar/same as the Pantera, but also some others used the Girling caliper. I note there is a place in the USA selling a few different types (with/without the handbrake part), so I am sure there are other instances where the same caliper is used.

Adrian

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Images (1)
  • 20201003_142208

Yeah, I'm beginning to think I just got lucky or would like to believe that I actually realized the different lengths as I was installing the cable since routing towards the rear is along the left side until the cable splits towards each caliper. So, it makes sense the right side needs to be longer. In addition, the Wilkinson Pantera parts catalog lists different part numbers for the RH and LH cable housing. This is the only other photo I have of the cable when still in its wrapper. Hard to tell, but the side of the cable that crosses under? the other side appears it might be a little shorter. Regardless, more Pantera trivia to fill the few open spaces left in my brain. Hand Brake Cable 2

  SDC16981 [2)

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Images (2)
  • Hand Brake Cable 2
  • SDC16981 (2)

-- How do you find the Wilwood handbrake caliper, I have heard mixed reviews on most of the after market ones? --

well the park brake  on Panter is not to the European MOT / TÜV spec.. .. this STOCK thing is just wimpy. US Regulation is different. So at Mot /TÜV you might get an issue. ( I nerver had due to super guy at the inspection knowing the US park brake is "wimpy" per design - same on my corevette C2- )
The willwood appears to be a caliper of motor cylcle level, floating caliper easy to adjust..honsesly still not the HEAVY handbrake measures at the test  but much better  (as we know in SF,CA you need to turn front weel towards the corner  stone ..very biiggg smile )

Matthias

 

 

Well folks,

It is interesting about the cables (and I thought it was going to be straight forward!) and I will look for the chassis clips and select the routing carefully when I get the new one made up this coming week).

As for the after market callipers for the parking/handbrake, it is a good point about the MOT test here as it becomes ever more stringent, so I will have to ask the UK club what they have done (most I know are like me and retain the original caliper at the rear just for the parking brake function)... oh and Yys and leave the transmission in gear when you walk away!

Cheers

 

Adrian

Hi Adrian,

just had my MOT in the Netherlands on my Pantera and parking brake was my main worry as I was missing the return spring on my LH caliper. I found that you can adjust the hand brake quite well by turning the 17mm nut but you need  the return spring (see pics) to have the piston release properly after releasing the hand brake. Luckily I got a break from the inspector and got my approval.

RH hand brake 3LH hand brake 4exhaust LH [3)

One tip, ensure that your new brake cable is not touching the hot exhausts. On my exhaust, previous owner welded a plate for that purpose, see pic.

Gr.

Joep

Attachments

Images (3)
  • RH hand brake 3
  • LH hand brake 4
  • exhaust LH (3)

Hi Joep,

So, I agree and thank you for your comments.  You do need to make sure the handbrake is on about the 3rd click (to fully engage the beake) and the handbrake arm linkage is set right so that at full 'pull', the actuating arm has enough movement so as not to foul the crossmember mounting over the full range of travel.  I also recall each time I did it, there were only about 3 threads of the cable showing through after adjusting the 'nut' on each side.... not a lot given the length of the threaded cable section!

I also agree about the exhaust issue and am having my replacement cable built with some added heat protection, but like the idea of a welded plate.

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