Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) ARP4 handbrake mod.

Apparently the magic bracket which will make the handbrake work is now available and has a part number. I understand it replaces an existing alloy bracket which tends to flex.

Has anyone had it fitted yet, and does it work.

Funny thing is the normal plus 4 handbrake works better than a Rav 4 or a Beemer or any other car I've ever had !

That's the trouble with these new fangled disc brakes - no grip.

You haven't lived until you try to get a good hand brake on a Mk2 Jaguar especially if the auto adjustment is full of crud.

.....or on a modern BMW X5, it is absolutely appalling, good job it's an auto, so it can be left in park with no need to use the handbrake.

Actually, in fairness to the ARP4 rear disc brakes, they do work well as a parking brake, if the handbrake is applied once the brakes are held by the footbrake first. As a little test, I tried to pull away whilst the handbrake was on today, and it it held really well, not to the extent of stalling the engine, but it was certainly on, so, maybe Morgan have a point trying to improve the cable run.

....or in a Tesla model S you can see the extra calipers at the rear discs, but no button or handle inside to engage them. Only when you press the brake pedal after stopping, you can see the handbrake sign light turn on. So you have to engage your brake pedal first for full effect. The same principle.

Well Paul there's been a pretty negative response to your question about the handbrake.
I appear to be the only ARP4 owner which had the mod done.
Berrybrook fitted the bracket to my car on the 10th June.
Morgan allowed 1 hour to fit in their instructions, the job took just over 3 hours to fit with 3 road tests to get right and it was pretty difficult!
The handbrake now works and will hold the car on a hill but you require the strength of Hercules to operate it.
5 clicks to hold the car.
If such a handbrake were fitted to any other car you would not accept it but it's a Morgan!
I wonder if the other 49 owners are still driving their cars without an effective handbrake.
They must know it's illegal to drive a car with a known fault with the braking and if they were involved in an accident their insurance would be void.
Well we will see if their any other ARP4 owners respond to my post.

Thats what I expected to hear I was told that a bracket was flexing and the mod would stop it.
My hand brake was solid no flex, it just didn't work ,the cable just looked too heavy with lots of tight bends and a very small
balance wheel under the lever to allow the cable to slide .
It just looked a bit too over the top to me .
My Westy has one half as thick and locks the wheels with no effort.
There is Something wrong somewhere.

Hi I have had numerous issues with my ARP4 , but I think I was the first to have the handbrake modification fitted by the factory back at the end of April. I have covered around 2000 miles now and it seems fine. However I now have a seriously leaking hood and now a binding sound from the rear end , brakes? Rear axle? when hot. How is yours?

The handbrake may be sticking on. Check each side to see if the temperature is different. The hot side is the sticker. Unless both are equally hot........