Brake Union fouling Handbrake Cable

[Roland]

I have an annoying issue on my Elan Sprint, I think this is a known issue on RHD cars.

The 4 way brake union bolted onto the chassis (front drivers side) is fouling the handbrake cable. I have two available holes in the chassis that could be used to mount the brake union and the previous owner has used the hole closest to the handbrake cable adjuster. To be fair this is probably the correct hole.

I have removed the union bolt to the chassis and there is some flexibility in the piping to move the union up by 50mm and resolve the clash.

However I don't want to start drilling another hole in the chassis to mount the union in its new location. I have looked at fabricating a bracket using the current mounting hole but this is not easy and will start to move the union away from the chassis and again into a clash with the handbrake cable.

Has anyone had the same issue and solved this perhaps with a neat bracket?

Tks

Roland

[TrevorJones]

Hi Roland

All RHS Elans have the same issue, the 4way needs to be bolted at the lower RH side and then the cable just passes on top of the Brake switch as per Photo attached.

[Roland]

Trevor,

The 4 way union on my car doesn't have the hydraulic pressure switch connection. I think this is correct for a Sprint and there is a mechanical brake switch on pedal.

My Chassis is the original and I seem to have two holes to choose from for mounting the 4 way union. One hole is exactly where your union is sited, this is not the hole that has been used. The hole that has been used is closer (By approx 100 mm) to handbrake adjuster.

So at the moment the handbrake cable outer is clashing with the mounting bolt on the union. It is an approx. 3mm interference clash but is is damaging the handbrake cable outer.

It would be a major re-pipe for me to move the union to where yours is sited. So currently I am still trying to fabricate a bracket that would enable me to move the union upwards by about 25mm.

[snowyelan]

Gotta ask..why a white chassis??

[oldelanman]

Hi Roland,
Rather than trying to move the 4 way to clear the foul condition why not use a rubber lined P clip to secure the handbrake cable to the fixing bolt .. that will prevent any chafing of the cable. If the fixing bolt is threaded into the 4 way as mine is you will obviously need a longer bolt with a nut to secure the P clip.

On my Spyder replacement chassis the 4 way is further forward compared to the original Lotus chassis so it doesn't clash with the handbrake cable. However the cable does still rub on the steering shaft

Lotus Chassis

Spyder Chassis

[TrevorJones]

Hi Roland

That's a pity as you say moving the union forward would be a load of difficult pipe bending and in really tight conditions with the engine in, good luck with the bracket question.

Snowyelan

I have always painted my chassis white and suspension gear red (since 1974), spotting any cracks, paint chips and rust are easy to spot in white.

[Roland]

Oldelanman,

Tks, the P clip solution might work.

I also have a slight rub on the handbrake cable from the steering column. Actually the P clip idea may move the handbrake cable route slightly and might also resolve that issue.

Tks

Roland