Not happy with FFR ebrake

[Jeff's First FFR]

Hello all,
I hope you all are safe and healthy.
I have complete kit. I don't really like the FFR supplied ebrake handle. I cannot get the brakes (2015 IRS) to hold well. If I tighten the bolt at the clevis, the brakes drag. If I leave it loose I cannot get enough pressure to hold the car. AND i have to crawl under the car to adjust it every time. I think the Mustang handle its self-adjusting. Anyone have a solution to my issue. And how about a tunnel mounted handle that is easier to reach that is self-adjusting.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Jeff

[Robodent]

I went with a E stopp electric brake . It will also give you more room inside the vehicle. Not cheap but well worth it.

Rob

[lgordon]

136950I had the same experience with the cables supplied with the complete kit. There was so much friction in the brake cables that the parking brakes were dragging. I tried adding a compression spring on the caliper end of the cable, as some others have done, but I still wasn’t happy with the action.

The solution for me was to switch to Wilwood’s universal brake cable kit. In addition to being able to adjust the length at the parking brake handle clevis, the cable can be adjusted at the housing bracket in the transmission tunnel and at the caliper without having to get under the car. There is very little friction of the cable in its housing, no sticking and absolutely no need for a compression spring to get the parking brake to release. Without the friction of the stock parking brake cable in its housing more of the pull from the handle is transmitted to the caliper lever resulting in more braking force. If your using Wilwood brakes you also don’t need the FFR supplied adapter for the E-brake lever. I can highly recommend Wilwood’s kit! (Summit’s price is a bit lower than Wilwood’s) https://www.wilwood.com/Hardware/HardwareProd?itemno=330-9371

[skidd]

Here was my custom top tunnel solution. It's been working great.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?25590-Miata-Parking-Brake

[Jeff's First FFR]

Hello,
Thanks for all the suggestions. I have the Mustang rear brakes. I also had to put compression springs on the calipers to get the brake to release. Don't know if the Wilwood cables (Which I know ore better and can be cut to length) will mate with the Ford calipers. I'll just have to try. The Miata solution looks good also. I also found a MOPAR self adjusting handle at Summit 1HY70DX9A1, floor mount, but it is ugly.
How about the LOKAR handle?
Jeff

[edwardb]

Lots of opinions about the FFR e-brake. I've done a couple and IMO that work OK. But I get that some what to use something else. But in your case I think the problem is with your cables or brakes themselves. They're apparently not releasing. The Mustang handle (and others) is self-adjusting, but (1) That wouldn't help your problem. Self-adjusting is intended to shorten the cables as the brakes wear, e.g. take up slack. (2) Standard practice if the Mustang handle is used (I've done a couple builds with them) is to disable the self-adjusting mechanism. I've had to add stronger return springs at the calipers on single piston Wilwood e-brakes. But that's the only experience I have. Sorry I can't give you more. But you need to look elsewhere than the handle in my experience.

[CraigS]

I have the old FFR handle whatever they shipped in 2005. I disabled the self adjust mechanism in about 2007. When I did the 2015 IRS upgrade I used the calipers and cables that came w/ the salvage rear suspension. I ran them under the frame. In that stretch of bare cable just ahead of the frame cross tube I spliced on the ends of my old cables since they fit the 1 cable into 2 cable thing at the end of the short cable coming from the handle mechanism. I run Hawk HP+ pads which are quite grippy and the park brake works very well. Best park brake I've ever had starting w/ drum brakes and going through Mustang Cobra rear calipers to the 2015 parts.

[Hotyacht]

I have the standard FFR E brake set up with the larger Wilwood brake option and it works just fine.........once I had followed the Wilwood instructions on adjustment (tiny fine print at the end of the installation instructions). My brakes were similar to yours, either on and wouldn't release, or couldn't get enough grip to hold the car. Did the compression spring thing and made no difference. Then I found the auto adjust instructions and it works perfectly - from memory it is pull handbrake on full, hold, then release fully 5 times in a row, and it self adjusts.