Hydraulic Emergency Brake?

[BAC5.2]

How could it be done? Could it be done safely?

Out of curiousity, how would you go about completely bypassing the mechanical emergency brake drum, and use the rear calipers instead?

A line-lock of sorts, I suppose.

How could it be done? Could it even be done?

[vrg3]

Why?

It seems to me that it'd reduce the redundancy between the service brakes and emergency brake, and so reduce safety.

It could be done, though it'd be harder to get it to allow modulation of the handbrake. You just need some valves to close off the rear brake lines. Of course, then you're subjecting them to high pressure continuously instead of just intermittently, but if they're well-maintained they'll probably be okay.

[BAC5.2]

Just out of curiousity really. Wondering how it could practically be done.

Idea mostly came from seeing Aston Martin's and such with a seperate emergency brake caliper. Are those simply cable actuated calipers, or are they independent hydraulic circuits?

I was envisioning a system that was on stainless steel brake lines, to inhibit as little additional stress as possible.

[vrg3]

All parking brake calipers I've seen are cable-actuated.

They really do need to be as independent as possible of the service brakes. I suppose you could build a whole independent hydraulic system, but the complexity seems ill-suited for a failsafe system.

[BAC5.2]

My slight hidden adgenda was to rig a dual-front brake system. In that, a set of front brakes on the rear of the vehicle.

Not that I'd actually do it, but just for curiousity sake IF someone decided to do it.

[evolutionmovement]

Also as they'd be used so little, you'd get more corrosion issues. The old GLs used the front calipers as emergency brakes. That sucked.

Steve

[BAC5.2]

I don't know about you, but I use my emergency brake religiously. If the car is off, the emergency brake is on.

The only down side I can see (aside from a potential saftey hazzard, as losing a rear brake would leave you without emergency braking capability), is that when coming off the track and having extremely heated pads, you now have no option of using the emergency brake to allow things to cool without being engaged.

[0perose]

I don't know about you, but I use my emergency brake religiously. If the car is off, the emergency brake is on.

mine hasn't worked since I got the car...

[Legacy777]

My slight hidden adgenda was to rig a dual-front brake system. In that, a set of front brakes on the rear of the vehicle.

Not that I'd actually do it, but just for curiousity sake IF someone decided to do it.

Phil,

You don't want to want to put brakes meant for the front of a vehicle and put them on the rear. There's tons of threads on NASIOC if you want to search for specific reasons....but in a nut shell the rears will lock up and it just won't work.

[subawhatsubawho]

When I used to race my stang we had to use anti-roll line locks. You would simply put the brake to the floor and then press a button on the shift lever and hold it untill ready to launch. I don't know what kind of current this vavle pulled but it could be done with the use of a simple toggle switch and the valve.

They are easy to install too. You just cut the brake line, install the valve and run the wires.

You could also do this manually with a brake proportioning valve. I have usually seen them installed under the hood but if you get creative you could install it in the cabin and do the same as the electric version...you would just have to press the brakes then turn the knob.

Hope this helps.

[BAC5.2]

Again, I was thinking more in theory. I'd imagine some creative wiring and electronics work and you could make a pretty effective system.

I don't ever intend to try, though a line-lock would be tempting at the track.... Easier than jockeying the emergency brake...

[subawhatsubawho]

They are soooo easy to install. You have the option to get the shifter knob with the button built in, you could use an aftermarket steering wheel with the button built in or you could get creative.

I used the hurst type ratchet shifter with the button.

You will need a tube cutter and a double flare tool...pretty easy.

[BAC5.2]

Hmm, very tempting.....

Where do you get the valves? I'd probably do it just with the front brakes too. I don't plan on sitting there and staging or doing crazy rear-wheel burnouts, but I would like to be able to just let go of a button when I launch.