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USA Hydraulic E Brake Fitting Instructions - Motorsport Tech Sessions


USA Hydraulic E Brake Fitting Instructions - Motorsport Tech Sessions

Grant Loc
July 30, 2013


Hello.

Desert racing, drifting, rally driving requires extensive use of the Hydraulic E Brake.

To be competitive in Desert racing, Drifting or Rally driving you must be able to lock up the rear wheels with ease and instantly to be able to maneuver the race car around the hard turns required for these types of racing.

The Hydraulic E Brake eliminates the weaknesses in a standard cable type E Brake. The hydraulic e brake does not require a lot less force to lock the rear brakes when desired.

The following fitting instructions cover all versions / designs of the most popular Hydraulic E Brakes.

(All instructions are a guide and we are not responsible or liable for any injury or damage)

Firstly fully remove your cars original mechanical handbrake system if fitted (Unless The Car Requires a MOT).

Mounting the Hydraulic E Brake System

When mounting your hydraulic e brake you will find that where most manufacture mount their standard handbrake will be doubled skinned and the strongest place for you to mount the system, this is especially important if your e brake is going to be used in the course of competition, i.e. rallying and using the handbrake round hairpins, drifting etc.. any flexing from mounting the e brake on single skin or a flexible surface will mean your system will not work to its best capabilities. If the e brake is only to be used to hold the car i.e. on the start line of a race or whilst loading the car then mounting on a single skin is fine.

When connecting the brake lines to the cylinder on the e brake system you need to fit it in the brake lines running from the brake master cylinder to the rear callipers. If you car has dual rear brake lines then you need a twin cylinder systems, the fitting of these is the same as for a single lined system.

Now plumb your brake lines as follows - the brake line should now run from the main brake master cylinder into the rear fitting of the e brake cylinder (normally the flat fitting and normally 7/16" UNF thread). The brake line then runs from the front fitting on the cylinder (normally at 45° to the cylinder body and normally 3/8" UNF). On dual systems the fitting is the same as on a single line only each cylinder is for each separate line.

Bleeding the brakes and using Your New Hydraulic E Brake System

Bleeding your brakes with a hydraulic e brake is no different from bleeding your system before you fitted the system as the cylinder does is store fluid to allow the rear brakes to fully operate independent of the front brakes.

Also please note the two following important notes regarding replacing your standard mechanical system with a hydraulic e brake and its intended use:

• Hydraulic e brake systems are not designed to be used as a permanent 'parking' brake, even the lockable systems, and a hydraulic e brake will slowly loose pressure over a period of time so if a vehicle is parked using the hydraulic e brake as a 'parking' brake it is possible that car will move.

• The fitting of a hydraulic e brake and remove of a mechanical system is only designed for circuit / rally / drifting cars. The removal of a mechanical system will also cause you car to fail a safety road test.

Thank you for your time.


Grant Loc has been involved with Motorsports for over 15 years and the Director of obp Ltd. obp Ltd Manufacture and Supply Race Car Products to most of the leading Motorsport distributors all over the World. Obp manufacture Race Car Pedal Boxes, Hydraulic E Brakes, Alloy Dry Oil Sump Tanks, Race Seat Brackets, Swirl Pots etc. www.obpltd.com




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