Tap Trailing Arm Itself or Use Steel Inserts?

[stuart]

On 3/26/2026 at 6:31 AM, Kenrow said:

I really like this product for undercoating. You can vary the texture and it is tough as nails. Available in the US…

SEM 5200

SEM 5200 Application

The thing with hard coatings is you do still have the problem though of any flex or stone chip allowing moisture to track under the coating.

Stuart.

[Magz]

OK. Trailing arms are back in, with Goodparts adjustable brackets, new poly bushings, and the coilover conversion from RATCO. 

Next up is installing the CV axles from Goodparts, the rear anti-sway bar from RATCO into the old lever shock mounting holes on the arm, the Quaife-equipped stock differential, and the rear disk brake conversion from Goodparts. 

The days are beginning to get warm, so time to wrap this up!

[michaeldavis39]

Whilst you have all these parts to fit why dont you fit the handbrake lever arm extensions on both sides- will give you a better handbrake.

[Magz]

21 minutes ago, michaeldavis39 said:

Whilst you have all these parts to fit why dont you fit the handbrake lever arm extensions on both sides- will give you a better handbrake.

I believe the 1976 TR6 already have the extensions as stock. The disk brake kit I'm installing also promises that it will greatly improve the hand brake performance:

"Includes custom mechanical parking brake calipers with semi-metallic pads. These calipers are much more effective than the original parking brake."

Edited April 4 by Magz

[Z320]

Indeed the Girling parking brake lever construction is unbelievable poor,

at this time other producers already used a much more effective construction.

First car I found using the „long lever inside the drum“ is a Mercedes Benz W28 170H from 1937.

Possibly also used on the earlier 130 H.

This is what I swapped to on my 4A IRS (BMW parts),

this way the handbrake stops the car from any spedd.

 

Edited April 5 by Z320

[michaeldavis39]

Z320- Does this upgrade fit the Tr6 rear brakes? If so could you share what parts you used please? The long lever I was referring to is as shown on my car below

 

Edited April 5 by michaeldavis39

[Z320]

13 minutes ago, michaeldavis39 said:

Z320- Does this upgrade fit the Tr6 rear brakes? If so could you share what parts you used please? The long lever I was referring to is as shown on my car below

 

That long lever outside the drum is rubbish

Edited April 5 by Z320

[michaeldavis39]

Well I have nothing to compare it with- it's what the British use over here as an upgrade.

[Z320]

Another "upgrade" is the handbrake lever different drilled from the 4A to the 6

Compare:

"it doesn't work well, we swap to another already period constuction to use it with less force"

VS

"it doesn't work well, pull stronger on it!" -> like - "if it does not move - hit stronger on it"

Edited April 5 by Z320

[michaeldavis39]

I have read about your improved handbrake well done but - I dont have the time to modify mine to the same extant- I may do your simple modification using a spacer to lift up the cable as that's easier and should have been done by Triumph

[Z320]

Yes,

by lifting the pivot point on the trailing arm about 20 mm it is possible 

- to gain the power that is wasted on the bend of the bowden cable

- and to avoid twisting the lever down, gain this force too

But still a lot of power is wasted on the backplate, digging holes in the steel

 

 

A solid spring in the mechanism helps to get the system elastic

This is a relative easy to DIY modification.

Ciao, Marco

[JohnC]

@marko, I see the point of the spacer, but surely the spring may make the handbrake more progressive but doesn't make it stronger at the limit?

JC

[Z320]

Hi John,

you see it correctly, the spring does not brake better, it makes short and stiff the bowden cable more elastic.

Without the handbrake was not possible to pull to the next click, and one click less it was not tight enough to park downhill.

Perhaps an issue of the original bowden cables I used?

Ciao, Marco

[JohnC]

Nice

 

[Magz]

Well phase 1 of my TR6 build is complete, and I've logged about 10 miles of test driving. Everything looks and works great. Quaife diff and diff mount/bridge welded supports, CV axles, Rear disk conversion, Ratco sway bar, Ratco coilover shock conversion, Panasport Z-Light wheels all working in harmony.

Time to drive and enjoy for the summer months before I start on the engine and trans. I have to say it's quite enjoyable as-is, but 2-3 times more HP will certainly add to the experience!