Alan Young Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Why has my Handbrake stopped working ? Is it because it's cold ? The button is not engaging when I want to apply it. Alan Y Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Ratchet pawl. Mick Richards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 (edited) Hi Alan Y ~ Strip the handbrake assembly down and check the ratchet and pawl for wear. Also check the push-rod to see if it's bent. I completely renewed all the handbrake parts on my 3A. My push-rod was bent. Tom. Edited January 9, 2018 by Fireman049 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Hi Alan, it could be the cold stiffening any grease that is in there. Have you got a hot air blower - warm the handbrake shaft. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 " My push-rod was bent. " Now now Tom, I'm sure we can all sympathise with your bent push rod, but some problems are best kept between you and your GP . . . . Cheers Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Glynn Hobbs Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 " My push-rod was bent. " Now now Tom, I'm sure we can all sympathise with your bent push rod, but some problems are best kept between you and your GP . . . . Cheers Alec Careful Alec, this is beginning to resemble the banter 'at the bar'............would not want the hierarchy to think we were being frivolous! . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Hi Alec ~ Thank you for your sympathies!! After I posted that I was just waiting for the first one to spot that (as Captain Mainwaring would say!!). Best regards to you and I hope that all's going well for you ~ Tom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
North London Mike Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 2nd Mick's suggestion. When LNK's failed, it was smooth teeth on the Ratchet pawl, worn down after 50 years of misuse Stripped, new metal via welding and filed to shape, fixed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted January 10, 2018 Report Share Posted January 10, 2018 Ratchet pawl. Sounds like abuse to me ! AlanR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted January 10, 2018 Report Share Posted January 10, 2018 I always thought that all pushrods were bent? Tom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark & Sarah Posted January 10, 2018 Report Share Posted January 10, 2018 This is getting too much like AtB. ..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Forey Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 Just learn from my mistake and always put it in gear, no matter how good you think your handbrake works. £2000 of damage when the handbrake flew off all by itself on a hot day. My beloved TR3 rolled down the hill and into a building. Mick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 With every car I've owned I've always put them 'in gear' especially the TR. Car facing downhill ~ select Reverse gear. Car facing uphill ~ select First gear. Tom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don H. Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 With every car I've owned I've always put them 'in gear' especially the TR. Car facing downhill ~ select Reverse gear. Car facing uphill ~ select First gear. Tom. ...and tyres turned toward the kerb, too. In the gear most resistant to rolling and directed to not roll forward is how we were taught to do it over here. Are you saying you had the car in neutral on a hill relying only on the handbrake, Mick? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 Hi Don ~ I forgot to mention turning the tyres towards the kerb! Tom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
T Rusty Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 This happens often on my TR3A. The handle unscrews without any help from me so the button can’t be fully depressed. When I screw it back on tightly it’s good for about four or five months. Am I the only one this happens to? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 Hi T Rusty ~ Why not apply a small smear of 'Locktite' to the thread? Tom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 Some years ago I did resolve the handbrake function issue for Spitfire owners in the Moss Spitfire catalogue. Items 1-50 were the original hand brake and all its components, item 51 was part no LBC1 - Brick, replaces all of above - Best bit was people ordered them! Sadly now NLS and removed from the catalogues. Peter W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
T Rusty Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 Tom, I have no idea why I’ve never thought of that...age, it must be my age. And, if I had a bent rod I wouldn’t bother repairing it, I’d brag about it. Anyway, next visit to my garage I’ll follow your advice about the Loctite. Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 Hi T Rusty ~ You're more than welcome. Regards ~ Tom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Forey Posted January 12, 2018 Report Share Posted January 12, 2018 ...and tyres turned toward the kerb, too. In the gear most resistant to rolling and directed to not roll forward is how we were taught to do it over here. Are you saying you had the car in neutral on a hill relying only on the handbrake, Mick? Hi Don, it was even more embarrassing that that. It was on barely a slope at the IWE so the car was on full view for the whole weekend. Hangs head in shame..... Mick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Young Posted January 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2018 Thank you everybody Roger, Hair dryer, spot on, thanks Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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