Hand brake pads

[andyhodg]

Hi All

Can anyone tell me the thickness of the handbrake pad linings when new? and what is the best source for replacement pads? Also I remember some years ago there was an article in the the Club Lotus magazine that gave a lot of detail on adjusting (and improving?) the handbrake mechanism. Doea anyone have a copy?

Thank you in anticipation.

Regards

Andy

[Foxie]

Andy,

H/brake new thickness is 5mm.

Classiccar Automotive, Paul Matty, Susan Millar, Tony Thompson etc.

There's lots in the archives, but the secret is to ensure the pad clamping levers pivoting freely, and carefully bending the "centralizing strips" so that their spring force lift the pads back off the disc.

Sean

[ill_will]

Sean,

I have seen some handbrakes calipers that have a spring around the rod that pulls both pads together, to force them off the disc. Is this normal, and are these used in addition to the centralising strips? (Mine didn't have them, but then again not a lot was original on the car i'm rebuilding.)

Also, does anyone know how the pins which rear handbrake pads pivot around can be removed? If there was an allen head in there it's long corroded round...

Cheers,

will

[garyeanderson]

Sean,

I have seen some handbrakes calipers that have a spring around the rod that pulls both pads together, to force them off the disc. Is this normal, and are these used in addition to the centralising strips? (Mine didn't have them, but then again not a lot was original on the car i'm rebuilding.)

Also, does anyone know how the pins which rear handbrake pads pivot around can be removed? If there was an allen head in there it's long corroded round...

Cheers,

will

The pivot pins are threaded 10/32, a bolt , nut and suitable socket will allow you to pull them out.

Gary

[Foxie]

I have seen some handbrakes calipers that have a spring around the rod that pulls both pads together, to force them off the disc. Is this normal, and are these used in addition to the centralising strips?

There should be a tensioning spring on the inside clamping lever which forces the pads apart, but may not do it evenly. That's where the centralising strips come in. I suppose a compression spring on the rod could do the same job.

Also, does anyone know how the pins which rear handbrake pads pivot around can be removed? If there was an allen head in there it's long corroded round...will

I overhauled my calipers a few months ago. If I recall correctly the pivot pins are roll pins and would not be easily removable. Just remove any rust/ paint on the pins and pads.

[Jason1]

Hi Andy

Have a look at Club Lotus News Issue 4 2008 October page 43 article written by Brian Buckland

Second paragraph; Pad thickness = 5.25mm and it also explains about the spring. I have the article if you want me to send you a scan PM me your email?

Pads are available on an exchange basis from the usual suspects or new on Ebay for ?39.

Hope this helps

Jason

PS
Andy, there is another +2 owner on the other forum now

[garyeanderson]

10/32 bolt or screw and a 10/32 nut a suitable socket and

Righty tighty on the nut - pulls out the shouldered pin, not hard really...

[redskatejbf]

Its a very long time since I removed the h/brake pads, so I could be wrong here. The pins are not roll pins but `solid`pins with a reduced diameter in the middle that the `hook` of the h/pads fit around. Therefor the pads themselves need to be removed first because of this reduced dia. as the pads hold the pins in the casting. To try and extract them with the pads in place as per the excellent photos they will (the pins) jam on the hooks of the pads.
I fitted helper springs on the tie rods and found this to be more effective in producing equal clearence on the pads/discs, I bought them on Ebay about 2 years ago, I would recommend this mod.

Regards John.

[garyeanderson]

Hi John

Someone asked how to remove the pins, I thought that maybe I could use a clean assembled caliper to deminstrate how the pins are pulled. I really didn't want to disassemble it to deminstrate this. Sorry if I mis-lead anyone.

Gary

ps the screw shown is to short, I was just trying to get an idea across.

[Foxie]

The pins are not roll pins but `solid`pins with a reduced diameter in the middle that the `hook` of the h/pads fit around. Regards John.

Yes, my memory playing tricks again.
It's great to learn something new every day

Sean

[ill_will]

Gary,

Thanks for that, it's exactly what I needed to know. One of the pivots is sticking slightly hence the need for extraction & cleanup. Not quite sure what the state of the internal thread is. Non-existant I imagine... Worst case I might need to mill out the stud and make a new one on the lathe.

Does anyone have a diagram of the dimensions? From one of the posts it sounds like it is shouldered.

Cheers,

will

[garyeanderson]

Gary,

Thanks for that, it's exactly what I needed to know. One of the pivots is sticking slightly hence the need for extraction & cleanup. Not quite sure what the state of the internal thread is. Non-existant I imagine... Worst case I might need to mill out the stud and make a new one on the lathe.

Does anyone have a diagram of the dimensions? From one of the posts it sounds like it is shouldered.

Cheers,

will

The thread may be BA2 but a 10/32 worked for me. I ran a tap in to clean the threads. I started with a completely disassembled caliper, I probably sandblasted around the opening for the pin to clean the crud away. As far as dimensions when you get a pin out you can measure it. You have 4 of them, I haven't replaced any on the projects I have bought over the years.

Gary

[rcraven]

Instead of buying or exchanging handbrake pads with one of the usual Lotus suppliers for ?40 or more plus postage, why not have them relined at your nearest brake relining specialist? It should be cheaper and you could always experiment with different thicknesses. I just had two worn out old sets done for a total of ?60 at http://www.industrialfriction.com/ in Cardiff.
A Google search should reveal other relining specialists (such as Safetek, Jim Jack, Custom Brakes) throughout the country.

[Jason1]

Or Ebay Item number: 320354070247

?39 + ?4.50 postage new pads no exchange required.

I have not used these guys yet but they look ok on Ebay.

The beauty of no exchange is you can buy them a put them away for when you need them

[rocket]

Hi all,ihave purchased a set of the ebay pads and they are pretty good.

Ian.