Problems with the FFS Hi Spec Rear Calipers ?

[Avonvilla]

Had a play with the handbrake today, goes to 4 clicks with the forth being quite hard to engage but acceptable one handed.

1st is virtually useless
2nd is ok on level ground
3rd not too bad but wouldn't hold on a steep hill
4th seems 100% fine

[Steve A]

Except I'm not getting 4 clicks, must eat more spinach !

[bobbrown]

One thing I find interesting is if you apply the hand brake while leaning into the car it has a completely different “feel” to the amount of effort it takes to apply it as apposed to sitting in the driver’s seat.
I think this is down to the position of the lever which is not in the best position relative to the driver even with the original rear calipers.
May be a longer lever on the caliper may go some way to reduce this issue and allow more force to be transmitted as it will increase the ratio
I will investigate the implications which I think are relatively small although it will need some new parts.

There appears to be three types of levers, the originals where the ratchet starts at the bottom, a later modified one where the first few teeth on the ratchet have been removed and it may or may not have a longer lever and the S2 type so even Lotus recognised there were some problems with the handbrake.

Bob

[Gazza]

Had a play with the handbrake today, goes to 4 clicks with the forth being quite hard to engage but acceptable one handed.

1st is virtually useless
2nd is ok on level ground
3rd not too bad but wouldn't hold on a steep hill
4th seems 100% fine

This is exactly the same as I get on the original hi-spec. Can pull it one handed no problem now and 3 is not enough but 4 seems good. MOT was done on Wednesday and it failed on the handbrake and suspension, new Nitrons will fix that. Handshake was just 15% and should be nearer 45%. Hopefully they can adjust it to get it through until my replacement arrives.

I did once only have 1-2 clicks and needed to use both hands but ended up bending the handbrake lever which I had to replace.

Gazza

[dapinky]

Handshake was just 15% and should be nearer 45%. Hopefully they can adjust it to get it through until my replacement arrives.

Gazza - if you can get 45% on an elan i'm well impressed!

The MOT Manual requires 16% efficiency, so you're nearly there (last year, and every other year since i've had them, i was getting 17 or 18%).

[bobbrown]

Have spoken with Hi Spec today and they are part way through a batch of 30 plus calipers so I am hoping that if it all goes according to plan they should start getting them out of the door towards the back end of next week.

They have said that due to the fact the back half of the caliper is now hard anodised they are only going to be producing the back half in black but with the front half in the colour specified, for those with black calipers this will not be any different than before but those with red, silver etc the back half will be black.
The reason for this is that the hard anodising will leave the caliper a dark grey and does create so issues with colouring them particularly silver and gold.

I can understand their reasoning and it should not cause too much of an issue as the bit you see with the wheels on will still be the correct colour.

Bob

[bobbrown]

Change of plans on Hi Specs part.

They were going to build the calipers complete and ship them to the invidual people BUT now they are saying can we ship the old ones back they will replace the parts nessary and ship them back.
They have all the parts made and are in a position to move forward all they need are the calipers returned to them and they will swap the nessary parts over and ship them back should take about three to four working days from the time they leave to the time they are returned.
For those that live close to Hi Spec it may be possible to get them changed out while you wait but phone first to check Tel 01322 286 850

So send your old calipers to

HiSpec Motorsport Ltd
Unit 7&8 Parker Industrial Centre
Watling Street
Dartford
Kent
DA2 6EP

Please ensure you remove the extension piece where the handbrake cable meets the caliper but leave the levers in place.
Pain in the bum I know but at least it means we can move forward

Bob

[abmunro]

You are right this is a pain and I dont know how I am going to get round this.

To be honest this is the second time I have dealt with HiSpec and they were pretty poor when I dealt with them last time.

We have been sold an Item that was not fit for purpose

I have paid to have these calipers installed.

I will now have to pay for removal and reinstallation and carriage.

Also car will be off the road

Poor Poor show

PS Im not blaming you in any way Bob, as I said I dealt with these people when I had my GTiR.

[bobbrown]

I may have a plan certainly with the red and black ones if the ones from the first batch have not been sent back yet.
Here's what I'm thinking take a black set as an example, I will have a set that were replaced complete so I send them back so they appear to come from say abmunro and he gets a set back with his still on the car and he can then swap his over and send them back as if they come from say saska and so forth
I can coordinate the job that will just leave gold, silver and blue, which I can not do a lot with.

I know there are costs attached to this even if it is only time but I can not see any other way to handle it at present.

Bob

[Gazza]

More lies from them. Thought they were ready to start shipping complete calipers.

Just spent ages getting the original set through the MOT so don't want to remove them now. Should of had this new set sitting there for when/if the car fails its next mot not have to go through it all again.

What happens if I don't want to do it now, will it still be available in a years time, doubt it.

Piss poor service

Gazza

[paulwatkins]

I dare not send my calipers direct to HiSpec; on their past performance, who knows how long it will take for them to be returned.

I can see that being a whole lot of hassle, .........chasing, chasing, chasing.

No thanks.

I'd rather they sent me a complete caliper set, that I'll swap over when its convenient for me, then ship the old junk back to them, if I can remember to do it.

[Alan_C]

I dare not send my calipers direct to HiSpec; on their past performance, who knows how long it will take for them to be returned.

I can see that being a whole lot of hassle, .........chasing, chasing, chasing.

No thanks.

I'd rather they sent me a complete caliper set, that I'll swap over when its convenient for me, then ship the old junk back to them, if I can remember to do it.

While I can send my old pair back (I now have remanufactured original Lotus calipers fitted, at least I can drive the car and the handbrake works) and my car won't be off the road, will I ever get a pair sent back to me? I don't trust Hi Spec at all. Yeah, I can send them recorded delivery. What'll I have? A receipt from the PO with a signature, and nothing else. Seems I have little choice, I'm not driving to Dartford and spending a whole day to do so (they say they're offering a while you wait service ). Guess I'll stick them in the post and wave them goodbye.......

[bobbrown]

I dare not send my calipers direct to HiSpec; on their past performance, who knows how long it will take for them to be returned.

I can see that being a whole lot of hassle, .........chasing, chasing, chasing.

No thanks.

I'd rather they sent me a complete caliper set, that I'll swap over when its convenient for me, then ship the old junk back to them, if I can remember to do it.

They have said they will turn them around in a working day or two at the most as they have all the parts sitting there waiting to be fitted.
If you what to try to pursure another route and see if you can get them to send you complete calipers that you fit a year down the road then feel free to do so.
All I can say is I've tried my best and if that isn't good enough tough, Ive spent time and my money on this what with trips to Hi Spec and sending calipers on to people.

Bob

[Gazza]

Bob

Was not having a moan at you. You are just passing on their bullshit to us.

Everyone knows how much time and effort you spend on projects like this, but it has been at least 7 months now and they keep changing the goal posts. Now we are just getting some new internals.

Gazza

[GeoffSmith]

Bob, I'm sure that Paul (and anyone else who's [rightfully IMHO] complaining) is not having a go at you, but are just letting off steam at the atrocious attitude of HiSpec. I'm amazed that you've had the patience to stick with it so long and if i had been in your shoes, I think that I would have sent them my bill for consultancy and walked away a long time ago.

[Dico]

Lads we just have to accept it. I've paid postage once already to have the calipers sent to them when the problems were initialy raised, and I'll be doing it again. Theres balls all we can do about it I'm afraid.
Good effort Bob. Much appreceiated. Dico

[bobbrown]

While I can send my old pair back (I now have remanufactured original Lotus calipers fitted, at least I can drive the car and the handbrake works) and my car won't be off the road, will I ever get a pair sent back to me? I don't trust Hi Spec at all. Yeah, I can send them recorded delivery. What'll I have? A receipt from the PO with a signature, and nothing else. Seems I have little choice, I'm not driving to Dartford and spending a whole day to do so (they say they're offering a while you wait service ). Guess I'll stick them in the post and wave them goodbye.......

Let me clear up a couple of points, Hi Spec called me to say all the parts to modify the calipers on the list I gave them are now ready, if you think they will not meet their commitment to turn these caliper round in a couple of days or so then that’s down to you.
If you think that Hi Spec will lose them then they might if you do not put a return address in with them, as they can not send them back if they do not know where to send them.
As for driving to Dartford for some it is an option for others not but they did say they would if you gave them notice turn them around in an hour or so.

At the end of the day it is down to individuals how they want to handle it.

Gazza they are replacing one complete half of the caliper, the inboard half as there is nothing wrong with the outboard side.

Paul how fast did Hi Spec turn them around the first time as that will be a good indicator as to how long they are going to take this time

Now where's that swarfega


Bob

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Butting my nose in an area I probably shouldn't:

Is it possible that HiSpec can send the 50% sections to the members that will have to take their car to a shop for the removal and replacement? That is, is it a real big job to remove the defective side and bolt on the corrected repair side?

HiSpec can also send a return shipping label with postage paid so the member only needs to get the package, go to his mechanic, put the old parts back in the box and drop it in the post.

From pictures, I think they are only dealing with a few bolts and O-Rings?

Again, I know nothing about the actual issues, just a thought so don't flame me.

[Dico]

Bob, in actual fact it was just the one caliper (but shouldn't make much difference). I seem to recall it was back to me within the week, which I thought was good. What I didn't appreceiate were the words on the box (which I have in front of me right now)- "Failure due to not following instructions on disclaimer". Lol bleedin lol!

HiSpec can also send a return shipping label with postage paid so the member only needs to get the package, go to his mechanic, put the old parts back in the box and drop it in the post.

Perfect idea, but I can't see Hi Spec offering this sevice. Even tho they bloody well should.

[Alan_C]

Of course I wasn't ranting at Bob, he deserves a barrel of beer for all his hard work with Hi Spec, and he knows I'll deliver when I see him next! I was just venting my spleen at the whole debarcle, all of which is on Hi Spec's shoulders. I will drop my calipers in the post next Friday as this is the earliest I can, and report back what happens.