E-brake on drivers side

[Real Time]

Hi All...I posted this on FB but perhaps I was unclear with my question.

- I would like to install my e-brake handle on the drivers side of the tunnel.
-Not on top, but between the drivers seat and the tunnel. (Mirror image of stock). Someone mentioned lack of space.
-If you sit in your car and mock up a handle there, I think you will see it does not interfere with your leg at all.

My tentative plan is to mimic the existing bracket (only mirrored) and either weld or support it on the driver side.

-Has anyone done this?

-I've searched and don't see any similar results.

-It seems relatively simple.

Maybe I'm missing something

Thanks in advance!!!

George

[Rebostar]

One thing you might concider if your seat and body have not been mocked up yet. You will need to fit the body temporarily before drilling for seat placement to make sure the seat will clear the rear cowl. I have seat adjusters. I had to re-drill my seat attachment holes to make sure the seat cleared the rear cowl when slid all the way back. I had to move the seat inboard about an inch. That being the case I would not have the room for the brake handle. Just a tip to help you decide. I like the idea of putting it on the drivers side. But not sure it would be worth making and installing two "mirrored" brackets. Remember you'll have to make the cable attachment bracket as well.

You can see from the 4th pic below, my seat was to far to the left. When I repositioned it there was little room between the seat and tunnel.

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[Real Time]

You will need to fit the body temporarily before drilling for seat placement to make sure the seat will clear the rear cowl.

Thank you Reboster!
I will definitely put the body on and fit the seats prior to any real fab work...

Still interested in any issues you guys might be aware of..:o

[Jeff_J.]

I've never seen the ebrake mounted on the DS, on top of the tunnel and the PS of course but not on the DS. Like Rebostar said there is precious little clearance between the Drivers seat and the tunnel, it's pretty tight in the cockpit so much so it's common to angle the DS seat a little to the left so your legs/feet to into the footbox. For sure do a test fit of the seat to see what you're working with. Just another thought here but if you decided to go that way would you run into any interference with the transmission by adding a bracket to that side? The wire harness to the rear runs in there as well - not to say it couldn't run down the PS. There has been some discussion on the Ebrake some find it not very effective or a bit of a reach to operate, I'm in this category as well especially after installing the Metco drive shaft safety hoop. I think doing it over again I might have another look at the electric ebrake.

[BRRT]

It's really unfortunate that there aren't rear calipers with integral electric parking brake actuators that would fit our cars. A lot of newer vehicles are set up that way.

[Blitzboy54]

I made my own electronic brake. Solved all my space issues.

[Nigel Allen]

Factory 5 left the handbrake assembly on the right hand side of right hand drive vehicles. I'm only 5'7 but it has never caused an issue for me in any way. During the build, I thought it might get in the way, but always good. The handbrake is extremely effective ( I run Hawk HP+ pads) and it is also close at hand. In regard to swapping it to the left hand side of the tunnel, I say go for it!

OTOH, Jesse's home built electric brake is a cool option. I think it will become popular.

Cheers,

Nige

[MB750]

Hi All...I posted this on FB but perhaps I was unclear with my question.

- I would like to install my e-brake handle on the drivers side of the tunnel.
-Not on top, but between the drivers seat and the tunnel. (Mirror image of stock). Someone mentioned lack of space.
-If you sit in your car and mock up a handle there, I think you will see it does not interfere with your leg at all.

My tentative plan is to mimic the existing bracket (only mirrored) and either weld or support it on the driver side.

-Has anyone done this?

-I've searched and don't see any similar results.

-It seems relatively simple.

Maybe I'm missing something

Thanks in advance!!!

George

Here's what I did:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?42189-MB750-s-MKIV-Roadster-build-thread&p=526076&viewfull=1#post526076

But it's not forever. I'm already working on a DIY E-parking brake setup.

[FLPBFoot]

It's really unfortunate that there aren't rear calipers with integral electric parking brake actuators that would fit our cars. A lot of newer vehicles are set up that way.

If you have IRS, the rear Wilwood calipers with the separate parking brake caliper can be replaced with Wilwoods electric parking brake. They are pricey but work well.

[JeffP]

I used an e-stopp electronic parking brake... no more lever. If I had IRS I would have gone with the Wilwood electronic calipers, but they don't make them for the 3link.

[Real Time]

Factory 5 left the handbrake assembly on the right hand side of right hand drive vehicles. I'm only 5'7 but it has never caused an issue for me in any way. During the build, I thought it might get in the way, but always good. The handbrake is extremely effective ( I run Hawk HP+ pads) and it is also close at hand. In regard to swapping it to the left hand side of the tunnel, I say go for it!

OTOH, Jesse's home built electric brake is a cool option. I think it will become popular.

Cheers,

Nige

Thank you for that info Nigel,,

-It certainly supports the idea that this should work out well.

I'm really not seeing any reason it shouldn't.

-I do hesitate tough,..when something that seems so simple hasn't been done yet....lol