Handbrake Pads

[Galwaylotus]

Who has the best price on a set of handbrake pads for a '67 S3 SE? I think mine are worn/burnt out!

[UAB807F]

there's some on Ebay if you're in no hurry (about a week to go)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Elan-Elan-Plus-2-Reconditioned-Rear-Brake-Pads-/141018037663?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20d5547d9f

No connection to seller, etc, etc, they just came up in a random search. Otherwise price can vary quite a lot, I've seen them up at ?90 a set, which seems crazy to me but there you go. It's just a case of trying the usual suspects I guess.

You could try relining your old ones ? Not difficult to do but it does take a while and a few folks have done it at home.

Brian

[rcraven]

Any competent brake relining company ought to be able to reline them for you. Try Googling for your nearest one.

[billwill]

Classicar Automotive used to do them on an exchange basis, so they can probably reline them for you. Give them a call.

Never throw away the handbrake pad metal bits, getting them relined may be the only way to get new pads in future.

[mbell]

Recently bought some, but having computer troubles so can't get to the pricing.

A lot of the suppliers are doing them exchange at around $30-50 (from memory). A few suppliers, JAE to name one, are still selling them but you looking at more like $100 (again from memory so probably inaccurate).

[Galwaylotus]

Thanks, all. I've used Classicar for my front calipers and found them outstanding. Lining the pads; however, especially for the handbrake, is something I'll look at closer to home as teh cost of postage between here and the UK is pretty steep. Since they're not holding now, I might as well take them out and send away for relining. I'll make a call or two this week. Before I take them out does anyone happen to have the lining dimensions handy? It looks like about 2-in x 2-in or 50mm x 50mm but I don't know if thickness is standard or whether I'll need to specify.

[Bombay Racing Green]

I would concur with the relining option. But if you're interested I recently got a new set off eBay from a seller in the States. $89 + $19 p&p to Ireland. If you type in Fiat 1500 hand brake pads rather than Lotus Elan they are abit cheaper! When they arrived they were the incorrect type. However, when I informed the seller he sent the correct set (from California) straightaway at no charge.

I hope it helps.

Pete

PS I don't have any connection to the seller.

[Galwaylotus]

Thanks, Pete, but SJ Sportscars in the UK has a set for ?37.50 so I'd probably go to them or Miles Wilkiins if I was buying new. I think explore the reline route first. There's a company in Meath that relines brake and clutch friction parts.

[rcraven]

I don't know if thickness is standard or whether I'll need to specify.

The lining should be about 5 mm thick. But if you get them relined you could always experiment with a very slightly greater thickness.

[billwill]

Who has the best price on a set of handbrake pads for a '67 S3 SE? I think mine are worn/burnt out!

They don't wear parallel to the metal backpiece of course; they wear more on the outside (bottom edge). You know they are finished when the thinnest part of the pad is only about 1mm to 1.5mm. However they may come to an early end if they get grease or oil soaked into them.

[Bombay Racing Green]

Just a thought, but I could send you the first set I got so you can show the crowd in Meath what you want. The pads are the correct size. It's just the method of mounting that is incorrect. I offered to send them back to the vendor but he said "keep them" so essentially they were gratis. I can pop them in the post to you if you like.

Pm me if you're interested.

All the best,

Pete