Hydraulic Handbrake pre 1968 cars

[wildo105e]

HI all,

Read on another forum that on cars pre 68 that a hydraulic handbrake is legal, talking MOT etc here. The reason i ask is i use a Sierra one on my Anglia which is far too long. Next option is the one used in in the rear disc conversions on escorts but a hydraulic one could be my 3rd option. If legal it could be as cheap to go hydraulic as buying another cable.

Ta

[rallyrob]

I maybe wrong but I didn't think it has ever been legal to have a Hydraulic handbrake for MOT purposes, regardless of the vehicles age.

[mexicotait]

It’s legal pre72

[Warrior]

It’s legal pre72

Aw that’s annoying, is that on a rolling thing like the mot?

I’m same as above my cable hand brake on the Sierra cosworth rears with the mk2 leaver, it’s like the ratio of the leaver is wrong, any tighter it binds on, but won’t hold now. It’s not really used my hydro is tho.

[Graham]

It’s legal pre72

thats not what testers manual says, that states

Hydraulic parking brakes as a sole means of operation are not acceptable on vehicles first used on or after 1 January 1968. However, they may be used to assist the application or release of a mechanical brake

[wildo105e]

Thanks guys, so that looks like i could use it as an option.

In reality the handbrake will get very little use.

[mexicotait]

Graham will be right I was told it by a tester a few years ago but never questioned it

[katana]

Thanks guys, so that looks like i could use it as an option.

In reality the handbrake will get very little use.

So you have a working (although ungainly) cable / mechanical handbrake? If so, what is the benefit of fitting an additional hydraulic one ....... that will get "little use" as the hydraulic one cannot be used to hold the wheel/s only 'assist' the mechanical application.

[wildo105e]

The issue with the current cable is that to get a decent angle for the cable to operate the extra length of the sierra one makes the bend get very close to the floor due to the ride height. My thinking here is that i need a handbrake for the mot so a hydraulic one would probably suffice to get me a pass after that it will be rarely used certainly not parked in the garage which is where the car spends most of its life ditching the cable completely. My first option really from what i have is to try the shorter available cable to see if that helps the ground clearance If not i can recycle it on to my escort at some point.