E-Brake Cables for Rotohubs on a '73

[yellow73]

I am installing CB Performance Rothub rear disc brakes on my std '73 bug. However the E-Brake cables are about 2 1/2 inches too long. I believe that 72's and later had shorter cables which would explain my problem, but CBP says that they have never had this happen before. They do not appear to have a cable that is 2 1/2 inches shorter. Has anyone had experience with this and if so what was the solution?
Thanks for the help.

[yetibone]

Hmmm, not THAT long, but the ones I put on the '71 were about 1/8" too long.

Can you sleve the adjustment studs at the handbrake ends of the cables with some stainless steel tubing?

[Kafer_Mike]

I've heard of guys shortening them to the desired length and using a crimp-on end. Another alternative is to make a sleeve/spacer at the caliper to take up the slack.

[yellow73]

I will need to shorten the cable about 2.5 inches.
Excuse my ignorance, how does a crimp-on end work?

[Kafer_Mike]

The aluminum crimps I've seen used are the common hardware variety available at Lowes or Home Depot. They come in various sizes and are used for creating loops on steel cables such as those used on garage door. You simple put the cable through the hole(s) in the crimp and hit it with a hammer to cinch it. An additional suggestion I've heard is leaving a 1/8" or so of extra cable and hitting the end with a mig welder to create a stop so the crimp doesn't slip.

[yetibone]

Originally Posted by Kafer_Mike

I've heard of guys shortening them to the desired length and using a crimp-on end. Another alternative is to make a sleeve/spacer at the caliper to take up the slack.

That, or a spacer at the cable sleeve/frame horn union would be good :agree:

[dbcflash]

I used a combination of a sleeve at the handle and some thick washers at the frame horn. If they told you they'd never heard of such a problem, they must have forgotten the calls I made to them about the exact same issue. I actually ordered another set of the cables because I thought they had to be wrong, and they arrived exactly the same length.

I'm not sure if anybody installs them without some type of monkeying around with spacers and such. You kinda figure a kit like that would just install without any fabrication. Wishful thinking...

[yellow73]

Thank you, I thought that it was really strange that I was the only one having this problem since it is not a very radical project.
I thought about the spacer at the frame horn, I could have a piece machined to extend the end of the sleeve where it fits into the frame horn, as long as it will not cause the sleeve to bind or rub on the trailing arm that may work.

[zen]

nigel, have you checked on cal-look.com? probably quite a few guys over there that have done that kit.