Hydraulic Handbrakes and MOTs

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Sep 25, 05 4:58 pm

Can anyone answer me the old question as to whether Hydraulic handbrakes are road legal? I was told a few weeks ago that they won't accept them on MOTs? I am thinking of converting the rear of the rambler to discs using small calipers and a Hydraulic HB (unless i can get some with built in HBs).

Please help!!!

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Sun Sep 25, 05 5:00 pm

Not legal for road use.

you can get rear disc with built in shoe style set ups.

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Sun Sep 25, 05 5:02 pm

Ibelieve the MOT requires a "mechanical" hand brake, but I know off at least one Mopar with a hydraulic. Think it depends on your friendly MOT man.....If you know what I mean

TrevD · Post by **TrevD** » Sun Sep 25, 05 5:37 pm

when i do a rear disc conversion i usualy use sierra or granada rear calipers, thay have a built in handbrake mechanism and all the cable mounts are on the caliper so its easy to connect the cables .

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Sep 25, 05 5:58 pm

Yes i wondered about that cos i used to race a cossie.I suppose its just the same set up when fitting to escort axles.Make a bracket to mount it on and get some granada discs? What discs would you use?

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun Sep 25, 05 7:00 pm

Blue had Granada calipers on the Dart and they did not cut it. That is why it came off the road 8 years ago

The other favourite from years ago and Martin with his Mustang was Merc 190 Discs and Citroen BX Calipers; though I have never tried it.

Hydraulic Handbrakes are illegal as they are not independant from the main braking system.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Sep 26, 05 8:49 am

I've looking into rear disc conversions and there are several, although I must say I didn't get as far as determining whether the HB was cable, it then got put on the "later" pile

I can find out more if needed