Alfasud handbrake cable

Started by Alfa.mg, May 08, 2020, 09:37:37 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

Alfa.mg

It must be coronavirus boredom but Im trying to build up the courage to change my handbrake cable.  Please someone talk me out of it!
No in all serious,  any tips or tricks?  My handbrake works but the outer sheath is damaged at adjustment end and is now acting as a spring, so when I take handbrake off it undoes udjustment.  I happen to have a good one lyong around. Im thinking if I get really stuck I may have to drop engine.
1983 alfasud TI 1.5 silver
1990 Alfa 33 cloverleaf 1.7 white
2001 Alfa 156 2.0 red
2003 Alfa 147 2.0 red
2001 Alfa 156 2.5 Monza silver (now)
1983 Alfa Sud TI 1.5 red (now)
1974 berlina 2000 white (1 too many)

bonno

By the sound of it, it's quite a fiddly job and can be done without engine/gearbox removal.  Find link to a post on Alfaowner forum on the subject.
https://www.alfaowner.com/threads/alfasud-handbrake-cable-the-secret-trick.271475/

rowan_bris

Tie wire on the springs improves the process dramatically.

Quote from: Alfa.mg on May 08, 2020, 09:37:37 AM
It must be coronavirus boredom but Im trying to build up the courage to change my handbrake cable.  Please someone talk me out of it!
No in all serious,  any tips or tricks?  My handbrake works but the outer sheath is damaged at adjustment end and is now acting as a spring, so when I take handbrake off it undoes udjustment.  I happen to have a good one lyong around. Im thinking if I get really stuck I may have to drop engine.

Alfa.mg

I had thought of wire,  ill give it a go.
1983 alfasud TI 1.5 silver
1990 Alfa 33 cloverleaf 1.7 white
2001 Alfa 156 2.0 red
2003 Alfa 147 2.0 red
2001 Alfa 156 2.5 Monza silver (now)
1983 Alfa Sud TI 1.5 red (now)
1974 berlina 2000 white (1 too many)

LukeC

Many years ago in QLD, I had an garage call me and ask how long it takes to change a handbrake cable in an Alfasud... Couple of hours I probably said. Straight up they say: So you don't have to take to engine and gearbox out? I vaguely remember I had some system to do it with needle nosed vice grips etc (26+ years ago). They had been struggling for the best part of a day trying to do it and were just about to pull the engine... They dropped the car around 1/2 an hour later!

When I worked for Autotech in Canberra, they had a pair of 18" long tools. Basically file handles on long spring steel blades with 2 pronged forks on the end to hold and compress the ferrule/spring at the RH side. Job took less that an hour and you barely got your hands dirty.
Luke Clayton

qvae.com.au

bazzbazz

This seems appropriate in this instance -

If necessity is the mother of invention, then surely desperation is the father of it, for I have seen men with a necessity be very clever, yet wondered at how the desperate are driven to be downright bloody brilliant! - Baz
On The Spot Alfa
Mobile Alfa Romeo Diagnostic/Repair/Maintenance/Service
Brisbane/Gold Coast
0405721613
onthespotalfa@iinet.net.au