Movement in mechanical brake hydraulic actuator - Normal?

[kharde]

Hi Guys,

I've recently renovated a 1974 model Viscount - had a van specialist check over it and he gave it a full thumbs up (safety wise).  He repacked the brake actuator with grease and said it all looked fine.


Anyway, we've been continually going away all Christmas and I recently noticed that the hydraulic actuator for the Mechanical brake has some movement in it.  Not much - maybe a millimeter in all directions (up, down and side to side).  Is this a safety concern?


Can someone check with their van (if you have a mechanical brake) to see if anyone else has movement in their brake actuator/s (the little shock absorber on the tow-ball coupling) ? 

Thanx

[Deleted]

Hi

Do you mean brakes like these ? I have mechanical "over ride" on my van and the actuator does not have any movement other then back and forward when on our car. I would think there would be some movement but the spring stops me feeling it.

Cheers  

[kharde]

Yes... as per your diagram, the coupling can move 2mm movement up, 2mm movement down, 2mm movement side to side when it is NOT hitched on the car.

When the caravan is on the car; I cannot cause any movement (because the van is so heavy), but wondering if the up/ down/ side to side movement could still be present whilst towing.   Is this normal?

[Deleted]

Hi kharde,

I will check mine shortly and get back to you.

Cheers

[Deleted]

OK mine in off the van I cannot get any movement between the shaft and housing after clamping it to my work bench. If your worried about how much movement it has, you can still buy them as a part.

cheers

[spin]

I borrowed a car trailer a few years back to pick up a small car 300km away and bring it home. When I hooked the trailer on I noticed the same thing, the coupling would move around but didn't think much of it. 150km later I was watching a car trailer flapping around on the safety chains as the coupling had come away from the trailer.
With the chains pulled up tight I was able to limp to the next town and buy a replacement.

I was lucky it came off before putting the car on, My tandem box trailer has just started to do the same thing, It will be replaced in the next week.

Spin.

[kharde]

Whoa, so the coupling itself actually seperated from the housing in the trailer?

May be more serious than I thought. Caraavn not going to be used until next school holidays, so will have to replace it by then...