13 replies to this topic

[stuart bowes]

Am painting my subframes and a thought occurs to me..

 

on the rear subframe you have that sort triangular bracket thing in the centre where you run the handbrake cables through it and fold the edges down

 

surely, over time the cable will wear a groove through the paint (or even the powdercoating if applicable)

 

what is the usual thing to do there, do you just let it happen and ignore it as a minor non-issue, or bung it full of grease and hope for the best, or is there some nylon part you can put in there for the cable to slide through..  ? any thoughts on that ?

 

 

[GraemeC]

Keep it greased - not so much for the wear, but because it will help with the handbrake operation.

I've never known one wear excessively. but it could be possible.

[stuart bowes]

oh yeah, for smooth operating as well, of course

 

that should have been the main consideration really.  I was just thinking how it might create a rusty area

Edited by stuart bowes, 26 September 2023 - 01:09 PM.

[Steam]

Called a handbrake cable quadrant.

[Designer]

I think Stuart is referring to the splitter (where the single cable from the handbrake lever is connected to the cable going to the rear brakes) that is fixed to the front of the rear sub frame the handbrake cable quadrant are on the radius arms.

 

The part I think Stuart is referring to is FAM621 Handbrake Cable Compensation Bracket.

 

It should not wear away the paint if well greased as the pull should be equal to both rear drums so that cable will not move within the channel it is held in. If you get my description.

 

Paddy

Edited by Designer, 27 September 2023 - 07:19 AM.

[Steam]

Ok. Another difference from UK to Aus cars then.

[stuart bowes]

actually I don't think it's either of those things.. I think Graeme knew which bit I meant judging by his answer, im not sure there is even a name for it..

 

it's a solid bit of metal welded on to the subframe which doenst move and therefore the cable definitely does slide back and forth through it..

 

maybe a drawing will help.. the bit with an asterisk and arrow pointing at it 

 

 

keeping it greased does seem like a sensible approach but I was wondering if anyone has ever seen or made an insert that the cable runs smoothly through without cutting into paint and causing a rust spot

 

but to be fair it's not like you're on and off the handbrake all the time is it, if you are you probably have a hydraulic one?  (do they use them in minis, autotesting and so on)

Edited by stuart bowes, 27 September 2023 - 08:34 AM.

[Steam]

That is called the compensator, and was 74 onwards. Keep greased lightly and also the quadrants which will ease its operation.

[stuart bowes]

I thought the compensator was FAM621 which is a seperate part, to the right of that  (closer to front of car)  where the single cable joins to the the longer length, which then joins to both hubs

 

that would make sense as well because when you pull the level it should sort of find the centre of the cable and pull both sides evenly

 

but greasing does seem like the answer and maybe I'm just overthinking it about the paint and rust etc

Edited by stuart bowes, 27 September 2023 - 08:47 AM.

[GraemeC]

I would simply call it the handbrake cable guide on the rear subframe 

 

No need for a hydraulic handbrake on a Mini - the cable one works very well once set up correctly (the green car in my avatar is one I autotest)

Edited by GraemeC, 27 September 2023 - 10:02 AM.

[Designer]

I now understand what you mean Stuart, sorry for the misunderstanding, from what I can remember when I took the rear sub frame off and put it all back together I just applied liberal amounts of grease to that fixed fitting on the frame.

If the paint was rubbed away by the movement of the brake cable ( about 30mm each way I would think) with plenty of grease I don't think there will be to much of a problem with rust. Just add it to your annual check list to apply more grease.

 

Paddy

[Homersimpson]

I've never seen one of these rot through in many decades of owning and working on minis, I would think that on a rear subfrawme htis would be the least of your problems as far as rust is concerned.

 

As above just keep it well greased and it will be fine.

[stuart bowes]

No doubt you're absolutely right there I guess it just made me think because I got mine blasted and now putting a nice fresh paint job on it and just the idea of the cable slowly ruining that over time annoyed me .

But then again stones bouncing up at it, and mud and crap all over it yeah its not the main concern

[coopertaz]

with how slow the cable moves grease will be fine., lots of it