e-brake lever alternatives?

fastenerpuller · Post by **fastenerpuller** » Feb 23, 2013 12:51 AM

Hi guys-

I am thinking through potential interior modifications (since I'm basically starting from a blank canvas) and I'm wondering if there's any way to use the offset e-brake lever from another BMW (E34 or E36, for example) in order to free up center console real estate for change, unpaid parking tickets, etc. Baring that, is there any way to mount the e28 lever skewed to the side? I did a cursory search of the forums and didn't find anything.

much obliged
fp

ldsbeaker · Post by **ldsbeaker** » Feb 23, 2013 1:07 AM

Didn't Cupholder Zealot already go down this rabbit hole?

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Feb 23, 2013 1:10 AM

Cupholder Nazi has been much derided for his modification. Personally I didn't notice when I drove his car, shift points came up real quick once the turbo spooled up.

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=91346

Cupholder Zealot · Post by **Cupholder Zealot** » Feb 23, 2013 2:14 AM

Thanks Mike, but I think if I did what this OP is suggesting, instead of bending my own, I would have been derided considerably less...

Please take note of the new screen name... I've just become a public figure, and don't want to ruffle the feathers of any of our Jewish friends

To the OP, I bent my brake handle over to make room for a very fancy cupholder that is stainless steel with a beige vinyl accent.

Cupholder Zealot · Post by **Cupholder Zealot** » Feb 23, 2013 2:21 AM

Here's the link to the improved cupholder, though the brake lever stayed the same.

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=99749&highlight=

winfred · Post by **winfred** » Feb 23, 2013 8:13 AM

coupla these

foamy · Post by **foamy** » Feb 23, 2013 8:33 AM

i just got one of those walmart cup holder things and shoved it into the door sleeve it stays there and holds drinks just fine. and if i ever decide i don't like it i just pull it out of the door sleeve and everything is back to normal.

fastenerpuller · Post by **fastenerpuller** » Feb 23, 2013 10:30 AM

Ha!

It's funny, I almost referred to the original "upholder revolution" (or whatever) thread that you posted. The idea here is to take the brake lever whole hog from a different car and then either use the appropriate surround or build out some kind of custom center console.

I have looked around but haven't really seen a good solution to interior storage space, though there are lots of cupholder ideas. I currently have a simple acrylic thinger (design cribbed from someone on here) which works great, but it doesn't give you great access to the e-brake. I'd like to get some sort of proper center console (maybe one of those e30 husco armrests?) but the brake lever uses up pretty much all the premium space.

The map pocket cup holder won't cut it because I'm a pretty sizable dude and my leg goes over there. Plus, I got maps.

jimoreno · Post by **jimoreno** » Feb 23, 2013 6:36 PM

Keep in mind that in order to move the parking brake mount you also need to move the parking brake cable tubes which is not going to be easy at all.

mooseheadm5 · Post by **mooseheadm5** » Feb 23, 2013 6:39 PM

all of the offset brake levers you see are straight. They are welded to the floor closer to the driver.

fastenerpuller · Post by **fastenerpuller** » Feb 23, 2013 9:11 PM

to be clear:

I am not talking about introducing a bent lever, but thanks to Moosehead's spoiler I think what I am talking about is some kind of ligature between an offset lever (like the ones I mentioned) and the rod of the standard brake lever. Maybe that's dumb/impossible. Maybe I'm talking about creating some sort of alternate means of interacting with the brake entirely. Zealot's approach is starting to sound more reasonable with each post.

I guess the answer to my intial question is:

NO

mooseheadm5 · Post by **mooseheadm5** » Feb 23, 2013 9:49 PM

Well, it depends on how much work you want to do to get there. It is possible to move the whole plate over to the side, or manufacture an offset mount for the lever. What ever way you do it, it'll be work.

fastenerpuller · Post by **fastenerpuller** » Feb 24, 2013 1:17 AM

it's all work though, isn't it?

EuroTrash88 · Post by **EuroTrash88** » Feb 25, 2013 6:32 AM

What about a hydraulic handbrake conversion?

shagrath · Post by **shagrath** » Feb 25, 2013 8:13 AM

I would just disconnect the cable from the lever entirely and junk the lever. Then hit up the yards for your choice of offset lever, and custom fit it to the e28.

Cupholder Zealot · Post by **Cupholder Zealot** » Feb 25, 2013 12:50 PM

fastenerpuller wrote: Zealot's approach is starting to sound more reasonable with each post.

Actually, the bent e-brake handle isn't a great idea from a reliability point of view. Since the actuating rod inside the lever is solid, I had to cut metal out of the bend of the handle body in order to make room for the bend of the rod to have room to move back and forth. The result...is a very weak e-brake handle that will deform if you pull it hard.

So, what I do is pull the handle where it goes into the console, and not the end of the handle, which is the proper place.

In my case, I would simply replace the handle with a new one before selling the car.

Alternatively, you may be able to find a flexible rod for the inside, such as one of those flexible bit driver things, and not have to remove metal from the bend in the handle in order to increase the strength of the bend.

I think I could actually get away with a straight handle and my current cupholder, and would simply have to pull the lever from the same place I do now.

With these parts a dime a dozen, its worth a try to see what you can fab. You can become famous around here, just like me

Rich Euro M5 · Post by **Rich Euro M5** » Feb 25, 2013 2:40 PM

What about the e-brake lever from a 140 Series Volvo. In the old Volvos the e-brake lever was between the door sill and the driver's seat. If there's room for the lever it would competely open up the trans tunnel. The downside would be relocating the e-brake cables.

Devinder · Post by **Devinder** » Feb 26, 2013 9:55 PM

Didn't someone on this board have a hydraulic brake lock?

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Feb 27, 2013 12:55 AM

Rich Euro M5 wrote:What about the e-brake lever from a 140 Series Volvo. In the old Volvos the e-brake lever was between the door sill and the driver's seat. If there's room for the lever it would competely open up the trans tunnel. The downside would be relocating the e-brake cables.

There's a lot of things that could be done, but none easy. You could weld up a side extension and mount so the lever was offset but working the original mechanism in the original location. Offset, not bent. But that is somewhat invasive if not over the top. Interesting all the possibilities, but how much effort is it worth?

fastenerpuller · Post by **fastenerpuller** » Mar 14, 2013 2:04 PM

Hi guys-

Keep in mind my car currently has no ebrake in it, so even acquiring parts and rebuilding it to stock is going to take a little doing. I like the idea of swapping out an existing offset lever (like the volvo one proposed) but I'm not entirely sure how that would go. I'll be honest, I've never done anything with an ebrake before.

At the risk of sounding like an idiot, if it's just a matter of routing cables, I've probably made enough wacky bicycle setups that it wouldn't be outside of my limited capacity.

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e-brake lever alternatives?

e-brake lever alternatives?

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more brakes

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