Cracked Parking brake handle fix needed

[Lorne G.]

I just noticed that my original 1967 parking brake handle has a long crack in the middle. This is an early all black handle and i was told that it would be difficult to locate another original handle in good condition as the cracking was common. Has anyone successfully repaired one of these handles? Will filling the crack with epoxy glue and paint touch up work?

I noticed a vendor selling a reproduction all black handle for around $75.00. Has anyone seen this repro and can tell me if it is a good quality and exact match to my original?

Thanks for the help.
Lorne

[Joe L.]

Re: Cracked Parking brake handle fix needed

I just noticed that my original 1967 parking brake handle has a long crack in the middle. This is an early all black handle and i was told that it would be difficult to locate another original handle in good condition as the cracking was common. Has anyone successfully repaired one of these handles? Will filling the crack with epoxy glue and paint touch up work?

I noticed a vendor selling a reproduction all black handle for around $75.00. Has anyone seen this repro and can tell me if it is a good quality and exact match to my original?

Thanks for the help.
Lorne

Lorne-----


The problem with the handles is that I believe they were manufactured of polystyrene plastic, the same type of plastic used for plastic car and aircraft models. This is a decidedly non-high-impact plastic. So, they often break.

I have not repaired one. However, I am very confident that epoxy would work very well to repair one and that's exactly what I'd use if I was going to repair one. The only problem might be doing a repair that's indiscernible. If the handle is only cracked, I think you could do an "almost" indiscernible repair. If there are "chunks" missing, the repair will not be so indiscernible.

A lot better repair could be made if the plastic handle could be separated from the steel lever and the repair done from the INSIDE of the plastic. However, I don't know a way to separate the plastic from the steel handle.

[Lorne G.]

Re: Cracked Parking brake handle fix needed

Hi Joe,
Thanks for the information. The crack is a fine, thin line so I will try to apply a thin covering of epoxy, sand it lightly and do a paint touch up. Hopefully it will come out indiscernible.
I am afraid to pry the crack open to squeeze epoxy inside the crack in case chunks fly out.
Lorne

[Joe R.]

Re: Cracked Parking brake handle fix needed

Hi Lorne:

The 1967 handle is slightly different from later years, although I'm not sure whether the transition occurred in 1968 or slightly later. In the attached photo, the 1967 handle is on the right. Note the difference in the diamond crosshatch and the lack of a smooth border at the top end.

Last time I checked, the reproduction handle was the later style that is not correct for 1967. So, you may be better off trying to repair your original.

The plastic grip is actually fairly easy to remove from the chrome plated metal lever. You have to first remove the handle assemby from the ratchet mechanism so that you can remove the push button, which is released from below.

Once the push button is out, you can push the plastic grip off the metal lever. It was apparently installed with a light press fit, so sometimes it requires some force to push it off. However, if your plastic grip is cracked, it will probably slip off easily.

It *might* be easier to repair the plastic grip if you first remove it from the metal lever, but this is a decision that you should make based on the nature of the crack. I just wanted to clarify that removing the plastic grip is not difficult.

[Henry S.]

Re: Cracked Parking brake handle fix needed

Lorne,
There was a vendor up at Bloomington Gold I believe 2 years ago that repaired them. He was in with another vendor also. I can't recall his name but he also sold boxes of spark plugs (like AC 43,44, and 45 among others) I believe their space was in the same aisle as Al Knoch and was facing South about 3/4 the way down the first section. You would think if I could remember all that I could recall his name. The reason I remembered is because I also have an early style that needs repaired. Oh and I think he charged something like $75 to restore a handle but not positive. Hopefully some3one else will jump in with more info. Good luck Lorne. If you would post some pictures or let us know how it turns out.

Good luck,
Shooter

[Henry S.]

Re: Cracked Parking brake handle fix needed

Jeff Salz is the guys name. Of course when I started searching the vendors I started at the top with the A's. Oh well at least his name didn't start with Z.

Here's the link for the Bloomington vendors if you need to look up anyone else.

http://www.bloomingtongold.com/vendor_print.php

[Joe R.]

Re: Cracked Parking brake handle fix needed

Yes, the vendor is Jeff Salz, who is a member of this discussion group. The phone number I have on file for him is 248-645-5953. Jeff offers a range of services for restoring parking brake handles, ranging from just the plastic grip to restoring the entire assembly.

[Lorne G.]

Re: Cracked Parking brake handle fix needed

Thank you Joe and Henry,
Your information is most useful. I will give Jeff a call and hopefully have him repair the handle for me. The handle is quite visible in the car so i would rather have a professional do the repair.

regards,
Lorne