Hand Brake Tree Height

[smo17003]

Trying to fit a new h/b tree on my S4 rebuild only to find that the new tree will not screw down far enough on the pivot pin to give the required height of 2.5" - centre line of bolt to top of tree. At the moment it is something like 2.75". Is it OK to cut down the length of the pin and at the same time cut a bit more thread on the pin? Has anyone else come across this problem?

Mike

[fatboyoz]

Mike,
Am also rebuilding an S4. Have measured from the top of the tree to the centreline of the bolt that holds the spindle. All parts original, and matches the repair manual spec's of just over 2.5 inches or 63mm. The repair manual and the parts manual both mention that the handbrake tree parts were changed in late '68. Unfortunately it doesn't mention what those changes were. Perhaps you have a mixture of parts? I have also measured the distance from the top surface of the tree to the bottom surface and the length is 1.75 inches or 42mm. I guess the critical dimension is the 2.5" and that this has something to do with maintaining handbrake pad adjustment at normal ride height. Can't see any problems with modifying your parts to achieve this dimension so long as it doesn't foul on anything.

Regards Colin 68S4DHC.

[fatboyoz]

Mike,
Am also rebuilding an S4. Have measured from the top of the tree to the centreline of the bolt that holds the spindle. All parts original, and matches the repair manual spec's of just over 2.5 inches or 63mm. The repair manual and the parts manual both mention that the handbrake tree parts were changed in late '68. Unfortunately it doesn't mention what those changes were. Perhaps you have a mixture of parts? I have also measured the distance from the top surface of the tree to the bottom surface and the length is 1.75 inches or 42mm. I guess the critical dimension is the 2.5" and that this has something to do with maintaining handbrake pad adjustment at normal ride height. Can't see any problems with modifying your parts to achieve this dimension so long as it doesn't foul on anything.

Regards Colin 68S4DHC.

[rgh0]

Mike

It sounds like the parts have just been made without to much attention to the detail of the threaded pin so you can get the correct assembled height. If the parts are truely original then a typical sloppy Lotus detail change. The guy making the trees probably was short of bits some day and cobbled something together to enable a car to get out the door.

I would modify the length and thread on the pin so you can get the correct assembled height.

From looking under my 68 Elan versus 73 plus 2 the only difference I can see of the 2 trees without dismantling is that the arm where the cable attached on the 73 car is longer and of a different design, the rest looks the same.

regards
Rohan

[smo17003]

Thanks guys,

My tree is a brand new one, supplied by Sue Miller, fitted to the original pin which I will now modify. Unfortunately the car appears to be a load of worn out or non original junk slung together on a supposedly light accident damaged car either by a PO or the guy I bought the car from - you guessed it; I bought it unseen off Ebay. Anyway, I won't let a little thing like that put me off so look out for a few more "help" requests over the next couple of years.

Mike

[patrics]

Hi Mike,
I have got the hand brake tree assembly off my 69 S4 - just made a new one.

The bolt / pin length is 2 1/4" and the shank is 1 3/8
The lever part is counter bored by 1 1/8" ie the thread doesn't start until 1 1/8 up from the base of the lever which connects to the cable.

If I wind the lever all the way on to the pin then from the top of the tree to the centre line of the chassis fixing is 2 7/8"

I know mine is original because no other company could make such rubbish!

Regards
Steve

[crannyr]

I am in the process of restoration of my 71 Sprint. I have either misplaced the hand brake tree lever spindle or it left with the discarded chassis. Can some one provide a sketch of the spindle that indicates the I.D. and O.D. of the mounting tube as well as that of the spacer? Is there an offset to the tree locating pin on the mounting tube? Does the lube pass thru the chassis or is it captured between the frame mounting? Thanks in advace for the help.

Rick

[patrics]

Hi Rick

Please find attached drawing which should give you what you want.

Check the drawing dimensions regarding width relative to the chassis because on mine I made two top hat washers to fit between chassis and hand brake tree spindle to give better location. This also gave a good surface to allow the tree to move freely from side to side.

Regards
Steve

[crannyr]

Steve,

Many thanks, just what the doctor ordered........