Hi All -
I am going to dive into my e-brake, changing it to the under the dash/umbrella handle type.
I did a search and was not able to find any threads on this - I am sure it is user error.
Has anyone done this conversion? There are just a ton of different handles available out there. I would love to keep it easy and make it based primarily on cables, but I am concerned about leverage.
Thank a million -
Scott S
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While yes, the umbrella style is more original, remember that the VW tunnel mounted handbrake is perfect for handbrake turns- try doing that with the handle under the dash! Plus it's a fair bit of work for something that very (and I mean very!) few people are ever going to notice.
THAT said, I know @TRP has done it. I'm sure Ted will chime in here soon. Al
Kirk hated doing umbrella handles. He said is was too difficult and too expensive. He only added that option a few years ago for competitive reasons.
You simply cannot get enough force with the umbrella handle using just the e-brake cables. Porsche had a double-lever bell-crank assembly just forward of the foot bulkheads (right where the front tunnel is on a VW pan, but not o an original 356) and that bellcrank amplified the torque to the e-brake cables making the whole thing work. It is a bit more difficult adding that bellcrank to a VW pan - it simply was not designed for something like that - but it can be done. Bear in mind that, depending on how it is designed and placed in your car, adjusting the two rear cables (going from the Bellcrank to the rear wheels) can be a mega-bear to adjust properly - you simply do not have easy access to the adjusters. Some folks (one) have used older English in-line adjusters instead. If you never drive in the rain they might be OK.
This site has a diagram of all the stuff you'll need for the conversion.
https://www.porscheatlantaperi...kEAkYCCABEgJgoPD_BwE
I just took a quick look through the various, popular 356A parts suppliers and none of them offered the bellcrank assembly BUT you might be able to source one from Adam Wright at Unobtanium https://unobtanium-inc.com/menu Wherever you get the stuff you'll need, it won't be cheap.
Try calling him and mention me from the TYP356ne club and that I recommended that you call.
I know @Former Member just did this to Miss Jill. Looking forward to checking it out at SLO in June.
I took photos of one of Kirks installs and a few more of an original speedster. It all reminded me of the flaps/ailerons on a Citabria. This pulls that.. which moves that... which yanks on this?... not too hard. So I just jumped in and took a shot at it.
Not having a metal fab shop, I purchased the authentic 356 bell crank, the complete umbrella assembly (from thesamba.com). I "fabricated" a bracket that bolts to the front beam to allow the bell crank to swivel. One end of the bell crank is supported by an attachment on the bumper bracket. (I'm HORRIBLE at welding so I haven't shown anyone the finished product. ) You hook up the handle/cable and bell crank just like it was on the original 356. (as shown below).
You run a single cable from the bell crank down the center tunnel. I removed my original ebrake bracket. This gave me ample room to access the one cable from the front and the two cables from the rear rotors. I attached the cables with the original method (6A/6/7 below)
I used the cable adjusters that came with my disc brake kit to allow me to adjust each side (L & R) individually. I need to add another return spring (7) to pull the handle back to 'rest' when I release the brake. Ideally I'd also go back and lengthen the bell crank shaft about 3" so that the short end of the crank is perfectly centered with the center of the tunnel.
The hardest part? making the bracket to hold the bell crank shaft and let it swivel. I used a hollow pipe and split it length wise so it could 'clamp' around the shaft. I put grease fittings on it to lube the shaft.. I didn't know how to weld before I started the project. I still don't know how! If I could weld half as good as any you other SOB's, it would have been easy. Yes... easy. Possibly easy to medium effort.
In my opinion, Kirk had a hard time because he didn't use the original parts. He scabbed together a mismatched set of parts. I bet a few of you could make these parts in no time and safe some $$$.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/cl...etail.php?id=1919934
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/cl...etail.php?id=2154743
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/cl...etail.php?id=1919942
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/cl...etail.php?id=2091617
What's this? Using original-design, correctly-functioning parts instead of fabbing up your own design out of scrap metal and junk? Where's your sense of adventure, man?
Where is your hotrod spirit!?
edsnova posted:What's this? Using original-design, correctly-functioning parts instead of fabbing up your own design out of scrap metal and junk? Where's your sense of adventure, man?
Where is your hotrod spirit!?
Hahahaahah! Touche' !
If I had a better handle on metal work, I would have loved to save money and make my own. It was pretty neat to see how all the 356 parts just 'worked' with the bug pan and speedster body. It was really weird how everything landed where it was supposed to!
Wow - fantastic info. Thanks all. looks like I will be on the hunt for 356 stuff.
Again, really appreciate the info.
Scott S
