Problems with the FFS Hi Spec Rear Calipers ?

[Monty]

Rather than getting in touch separately would it be a better idea to try and get exchanges done for those that want it as one group?

I don't mind doing the organisation, time permitting.

My thoughts on the next steps are:
1. Find out how many sets of calipers we are talking about
2. Get the dimensions of the replacement caliper (or an alternative of similar style/size) to establish if anything needs changing from the original kit, if so what.

At the moment i have no issue with mine but if there`s a problem with them leaking and that there not producing this caliper no more then i want them replaced and they should be free to exchange Just hope they produce the new ones using the same mounting holes etc.

Ailwyn, Thanks for putting yourself forward in trying to get this resolved.


Post up here if you have calipers that you want exchanged
1. Ailwyn (Gold)
2. Ailwyn (Black)
3. Monty (silver)

[MPx]

At the moment i have no issue with mine but if there`s a problem with them leaking and that there not producing this caliper no more then i want them replaced and they should be free to exchange Just hope they produce the new ones using the same mounting holes etc.

Ailwyn, Thanks for putting yourself forward in trying to get this resolved.

1. Ailwyn (Gold)
2. Ailwyn (Black)
3. Monty (Silver)
4. MPx (Gold)

[saska]

Rather than getting in touch separately would it be a better idea to try and get exchanges done for those that want it as one group?{/quote]

At the moment i have no issue with mine but if there`s a problem with them leaking and that there not producing this caliper no more then i want them replaced and they should be free to exchange :twisted: Just hope they produce the new ones using the same mounting holes etc.
Ailwyn, Thanks for putting yourself forward in trying to get this resolved.

I agree. Think it might be good if we included rear disk size/wheel size so HiSpec should be able to calculate any difference(s) between old & new calipers

Post up here if you have calipers that you want exchanged
1. Ailwyn (Gold)
2. Ailwyn (Black)
3. Monty (silver)
4. saska (black, 256mm vented, 16"BBS, std H/B cables)
Thanks also ailwyn

[ailwyn]

Tony,

I think wheel clearance and mounting points will be the key issues with the replacement as we know that the original caliper fitted and we would want something similar it's trying to get Hi-Spec to point out the differences so that we can identify what changes (if any) need to be made to the kit.

The worst case scenario I would have thought is new mounting brackets and new HB cables.

Hopefully the change to the caliper is an internal one and not a body re-design.... I'd have thought if Hi-Spec have a user base in the kit-car world then they'd be reluctant to force their customers to re-design the brake mountings etc if/when a replacement is needed.

Ray,

Can you please PM or Email the contact details to me?

Thanks

Ailwyn

[RayD]

... I'd have thought if Hi-Spec have a user base in the kit-car world then they'd be reluctant to force their customers to re-design the brake mountings etc if/when a replacement is needed.

It's the impression I got from speaking to them ... there may also have been a mention of separate pads for the handbrake.

Ailwyn you have a PM/email

Ray

[Dico]

Post up here if you have calipers that you want exchanged
1. Ailwyn (Gold)
2. Ailwyn (Black)
3. Monty (silver)
4. saska (black, 256mm vented, 16"BBS, std H/B cables)
5- Dico (silver, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)


Cheers Ailwyn

[RichardK]

Post up here if you have calipers that you want exchanged
1. Ailwyn (Gold)
2. Ailwyn (Black)
3. Monty (silver)
4. saska (black, 256mm vented, 16"BBS, std H/B cables)
5- Dico (silver, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
6. Richard (Red, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)

Mine are sitting in a box in Cape Town - I will not be back until mid December.....probably about how long SlowSpec will take to get this sorted!!

[MPx]

I seem to have been lost in the crossfire so I'll put myself back in

Post up here if you have calipers that you want exchanged
1. Ailwyn (Gold)
2. Ailwyn (Black)
3. Monty (silver)
4. saska (black, 256mm vented, 16"BBS, std H/B cables)
5- Dico (silver, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
6. Richard (Red, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
7. MPx (Gold, 256mm grooved, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)

[saska]

I think wheel clearance and mounting points will be the key issues with the replacement as we know that the original caliper fitted and we would want something similar it's trying to get Hi-Spec to point out the differences so that we can identify what changes (if any) need to be made to the kit.
The worst case scenario I would have thought is new mounting brackets and new HB cables.
Hopefully the change to the caliper is an internal one and not a body re-design.... I'd have thought if Hi-Spec have a user base in the kit-car world then they'd be reluctant to force their customers to re-design the brake mountings etc if/when a replacement is needed.

All of the SVA Handbrake calipers appear to be lug mount rather than the perpendicular through-the-caliper bolt mount we have. See HERE
All of the Ford & VW lugs are 90mm apart and the Billet is 140mm -- note they do a +20 VW (for a bigger disc) so it appears there is some flexibility in how they make the lug mount portion of the caliper. If everyone who wants to exchange calipers is on 256mm discs then it may make Hispec's job easier.
If the lug mount can be the correct distance apart and made for the correct size disc, then the only problem is the mount inboard/outboard offset from centre of caliper to center of disc. If the caliper centre is too far outboard it can be spaced, if too far inboard then we have a problem. I had a look on Wayback Machine for the dimensions of our present calipers but while they had much of hispec's web site they didn't have our calipers.
I agree we may need mounting bracket and H/B cables but I'm also concerned about the angle of approach of the H/B cable. Current calipers are almost vertical whereas the SVA appears to work from the side.
Think the Billet SVAs use a separate piston/pad for the H/B and also take different main pads to our Hispecs: they list Mintex MDB535 for the SVA whereas my rear pads are Mintex MDB1890.
Don't much care about paying for the bits as I'd just like a safe, reliable solution that is still 70/30 proportional with the fronts.

[Gazza]

Post up here if you have calipers that you want exchanged

1. Ailwyn (Gold)
2. Ailwyn (Black)
3. Monty (silver)
4. saska (black, 256mm vented, 16"BBS, std H/B cables)
5- Dico (silver, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
6. Richard (Red, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
7. MPx (Gold, 256mm grooved, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
8. Gazza (Red, 256mm Drilled, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B Cables) small leak already and not done 1000 miles.

[Avonvilla]

Post up here if you have calipers that you want exchanged

1. Ailwyn (Gold)
2. Ailwyn (Black)
3. Monty (silver)
4. saska (black, 256mm vented, 16"BBS, std H/B cables)
5- Dico (silver, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
6. Richard (Red, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
7. MPx (Gold, 256mm grooved, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
8. Gazza (Red, 256mm Drilled, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B Cables) small leak already and not done 1000 miles.
9. Avonvilla (Black, 256mm Grooved, 16" BBS, std H/B cables(i think!))

[whippit]

Post up here if you have calipers that you want exchanged

1. Ailwyn (Gold)
2. Ailwyn (Black)
3. Monty (silver)
4. saska (black, 256mm vented, 16"BBS, std H/B cables)
5- Dico (silver, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
6. Richard (Red, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
7. MPx (Gold, 256mm grooved, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
8. Gazza (Red, 256mm Drilled, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B Cables) small leak already and not done 1000 miles.
9. Avonvilla (Black, 256mm Grooved, 16" BBS, std H/B cables(i think!))
10. whippit ( red , 256mm vented, 16" BBS, std H/B cables)

[paulwatkins]

Post up here if you have calipers that you want exchanged

1. Ailwyn (Gold)
2. Ailwyn (Black)
3. Monty (silver)
4. saska (black, 256mm vented, 16"BBS, std H/B cables)
5- Dico (silver, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
6. Richard (Red, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
7. MPx (Gold, 256mm grooved, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
8. Gazza (Red, 256mm Drilled, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B Cables) small leak already and not done 1000 miles.
9. Avonvilla (Black, 256mm Grooved, 16" BBS, std H/B cables(i think!))
10. whippit ( red , 256mm vented, 16" BBS, std H/B cables)
11. Paulwatkins (gold)

[router]

My rears are useless or shall I say the handbrake is useless the cars failed the MOT on effort my rears have already been back to Hispec once and they have come back with new seals, I asked them to check the handbrake as it was stiff to pull and they have come back the same.
The handbrake is too stiff for the wife to pull therefore I think its dangerous. I have since removed the rears and gone back to the old calipers and the cars passed the MOT straight away. If we can get working replacements id be well happy these havent even coverd 1000 miles, id say it was a waste of money....

Post up here if you have calipers that you want exchanged

1. Ailwyn (Gold)
2. Ailwyn (Black)
3. Monty (silver)
4. saska (black, 256mm vented, 16"BBS, std H/B cables)
5- Dico (silver, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
6. Richard (Red, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
7. MPx (Gold, 256mm grooved, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
8. Gazza (Red, 256mm Drilled, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B Cables) small leak already and not done 1000 miles.
9. Avonvilla (Black, 256mm Grooved, 16" BBS, std H/B cables(i think!))
10. whippit ( red , 256mm vented, 16" BBS, std H/B cables)
11. Paulwatkins (gold)
12. Router (red)

[whippit]

i had to help my hand brake through its mot with a little pressure on the foot brake ,
not good i know but as ide spent £1200 on the brake upgrade and was going to a show the next day in the car, there was no way it was failing on the rears,
the last straw was when i parked it on the drive, three clicks on the leaver , my left arm looks like popeyes, looked out of the window a couple of hours later,
the bloody cars parked its self across the road, strange thing no body beeped there horn or knocked on the door, must have thought its normal for a lotus to block the road

[Alan_C]

1. Ailwyn (Gold)
2. Ailwyn (Black)
3. Monty (silver)
4. saska (black, 256mm vented, 16"BBS, std H/B cables)
5- Dico (silver, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
6. Richard (Red, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
7. MPx (Gold, 256mm grooved, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
8. Gazza (Red, 256mm Drilled, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B Cables) small leak already and not done 1000 miles.
9. Avonvilla (Black, 256mm Grooved, 16" BBS, std H/B cables(i think!))
10. whippit ( red , 256mm vented, 16" BBS, std H/B cables)
11. Paulwatkins (gold)
12. Router (red)
13. Alan C (red)

[G UK]

Still not fitted mine yet and had this thread pointed out to me at the last couple of meets. If the problem is as bad as is being reported I either want a fit for purpose straight replacement or refund. I do NOT want to fork out for new adapters and cables as this is all down to Hi-Specs poor design.

1. Ailwyn (Gold)
2. Ailwyn (Black)
3. Monty (silver)
4. saska (black, 256mm vented, 16"BBS, std H/B cables)
5- Dico (silver, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
6. Richard (Red, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
7. MPx (Gold, 256mm grooved, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
8. Gazza (Red, 256mm Drilled, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B Cables) small leak already and not done 1000 miles.
9. Avonvilla (Black, 256mm Grooved, 16" BBS, std H/B cables(i think!))
10. whippit ( red , 256mm vented, 16" BBS, std H/B cables)
11. Paulwatkins (gold)
12. Router (red)
13. Alan C (red)
14. G UK (Gold)

[ailwyn]

Sorry guys I've not been able to do anything with this yet, just changed jobs and hopefully things will settle down soon.

G,

The only thing you'll get refunded from Hi-Spec is the cost of the calipers as this is not a Hi-Spec kit.

I don't have any issue with the rest of the parts.... just a shame that the calipers are not just ornamental

I think we need to see what alternatives there are with the least additional cost as even with the refund from Hi-Spec I'd still be a fair wad of cash lighter.

A.

[whippit]

just to keep this thread upto date,
rang hi-spec fri about time limits on the rear caliper , there looking at about a month for the re design,
looks like its going to be a piggy back handbrake mechanism, just machanical, not a hydro -machanical
the bloke i spoke to said it bolts to the main body of the caliper,
we dont have to get new mounts made, but the handbrake cables are no good,
the o/e cables have a ball on the end, but hispec have designed the new mechanism to take a clevis,
plus the adapter bob made to take are cable wont fit the new one,
over all it looks like its going to be a pain in the arse to get are cables to fit the new caliper,
not sure this is heading in the right direction to resolve a shite hand brake,
having to ether get new cables made or get new adapters made is going to cost.

[alexg]

Hi, not been on for a while as busy with work and impending wedding..

I have had my rear calipers fail as well, sent them back to Hi-Spec and they rebuilt them and provided me with instructions that say you can't apply the handbrake with the foot brake on??? I am now expceptionally careful when using the car and find myself constantly checking that the brakes work as I have now lost confidence that they will be there when approaching junctions etc. This detracts gretly from the driving experience as you can imagine, I would be very grateful of any solution as, before the failure and now, the new brakes have transformed the car. I just have to have the confidence that they will always work, so added myself to the list.

1. Ailwyn (Gold)
2. Ailwyn (Black)
3. Monty (silver)
4. saska (black, 256mm vented, 16"BBS, std H/B cables)
5- Dico (silver, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
6. Richard (Red, 256mm vented, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
7. MPx (Gold, 256mm grooved, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B cables)
8. Gazza (Red, 256mm Drilled, 16" BBS, Bobs H/B Cables) small leak already and not done 1000 miles.
9. Avonvilla (Black, 256mm Grooved, 16" BBS, std H/B cables(i think!))
10. whippit ( red , 256mm vented, 16" BBS, std H/B cables)
11. Paulwatkins (gold)
12. Router (red)
13. Alan C (red)
14. G UK (Gold)
15. alexg (black)