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TR2/3/3A TR3 E brake problems

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Got_All_4

Got_All_4

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Haven't used my e-brake since I put the car on the road in 1983. Never worked and after this entire brake system rebuild I vowed to get it working. You can pull back to stop but the ratchet does not work.

Got everything loosened up under the brake handle tonight. However the e-brake would not ratchet and lock. I took out the ratchet bracket out and couldn't get the pin out for the pawl. I think I'll go get a new ratchet and pawl tomorrow for a fresh start .

There is no explanation in the Haynes manual on how to properly assemble the e-brake. Any one out there know how to do this?
 
Hmm, you do realize that it is a "fly off" handbrake, right?
Works just the opposite of most : To set the brake, you pull back on the lever and then hold the button down while you release the lever. To release the brake, pull back and release without holding the button.

I don't recall the details offhand, but the procedure in the factory workshop manual worked for me, many years ago. Page 407
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&p...U1&hl=en_US
 
Sounds counter-intuitive but once you get used to using it you will probably realize this is the better system for a handbrake.

If you want to feel the ratchet you can slightly depress the button as you pull the lever though that is not necessary for proper operation.
 
These TRs were real rally competion cars and they were designed that way. In a serious rally, the TR could come around a curve on a gravel road much faster by pulling on the hand-brake lever arm and when the driver had swung the rear end around to where he wanted it, he would just let go of the lever arm.

Now you know the rest of the story.

This came attached to the handbrake of my TR3A when I picked it up from the S-T dealer in May 1958.
 

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According to Wikipedia, the first fly-off handbrake was fitted to a pre-WWI Lagonda:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagonda

So at the very least, if Triumph stole the idea from MG, MG in turn got it from someone else :laugh:
 
Roger said:
Much as I hate to stir the rivalry pot, this is an idea Triumph stole from MG.
Click to expand...

Sure. That's like saying that Triumph stole the idea for round tires! :devilgrin:

The fly-off hand-brake was industry standard at that era of automotive history.
 
Is this where our expression 'Flying off at the handle' comes from?

BTW -- Nice tag Don, I have never seen one of those before.
 
Geo Hahn said:
Is this where our expression 'Flying off at the handle' comes from?
Click to expand...
Could be, but I doubt it. If you've ever had a hammer or ax head work loose while you're using it, you'll know why "flying off the handle" causes damage.
 
Speaking of e-brakes, here is an annoying problem I am having with mine.

The plastic handle comes loose quite often through normal use. I have to be very careful in tightening it because the slightest bit of over-tightening will break out the top of the handle. I have gone through about three of these rascals in two years.

Is there some way to prevent this short of continuing to use extreme care in tightening the handle? I read somewhere of a washer for the handle, but how it is used I don't know, and apparently it is something that is very hard to find.
 
TR3driver said:
According to Wikipedia, the first fly-off handbrake was fitted to a pre-WWI Lagonda:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagonda

So at the very least, if Triumph stole the idea from MG, MG in turn got it from someone else :laugh:
Click to expand...

Maybe, but MG were making sports cars with fly-off handbrakes before Triumph made any sports cars at all.
 
Roger said:
Maybe, but MG were making sports cars with fly-off handbrakes before Triumph made any sports cars at all.
Click to expand...
One might argue that, not long after the introduction of the first Triumph 10/20 in 1923, <span style="font-style: italic">Triumph soon added a sporting two-seater to the 10/20 range -- a pretty car with flowing wings and a duck-back body, running a 'fully turbulent' cylinder-head with improved breathing....</span> (from Robson and Langworth's <span style="font-style: italic">Triumph Cars; The Complete story</span>).

:driving:
 
Ed - Your TR3A is very near to mine (TS 27489 LO) and I still have the original black plastic screw-on hand-grip. There has never been a ring or nut to prevent anything . May I suggest that you use a bit of silicone sealant in and on the threads and screw it on, then let the silicone cure. If you have to remove it, the silicone sealant will shear and you'll be able to remove the black hand grip. Don't use JB Weld or any epoxy to secure it onto the lever arm as I believe you'll never get it off again.

Maybe the nut you're thinking of is the one that goes below the rubber gear stick knob where you shift gears on the gearbox. These nuts are now available (chromed) from Macy's Garage in Ohio.

https://www.macysgarage.com/myweb6/Parts/tr2_3_hdwe.htm#TR2/3 Gearshift Knob Lock Nut
 
Don has a good idea with the silicone (RTV). I was going to suggest blue thread locker on the ring. Ether my work.

I did try the pull and release method. It worked only once. My wife was in the car pulling the E brake as I was watching from underneath the car what was happening. When the ratchet fell out it looked worn. The parts are ordered and should be in next week.
 
TR3ATR250 said:
Randall

Your link said I don't have premission to view.
Click to expand...
Hmm, that's strange. It's supposed to be shared with everybody, and it works for me even after signing out of Google Docs. Is anyone else having a problem ?

I guess you could try going to https://docs.google.com and creating an account. It's free and reasonably painless.
 
Randall

That did the trick. I don't understand why I had to make an account because at the top it said it was in the public on the web and everyone can view and no need to sign in. Thanks!
 
Randall,

Worked fine for me without an account.

Scott
 
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