I have the early folding handbrake handle and getting the flashing light to go out is a two-handed process to get the switch fully depressed.

Is there supppsed to be a spring somewhere on the handle mechanism to help release the brake?

Anyone got a picture?

Thanks,
Tom

I've always had to hold the folding part of the handle up while moving the entire handle to it's resting position to close the switch and turn off the handbrake light. I'm unaware of any spring or other assist and there is no adjustment on the switch.

Yup- that's exactly what I have to do.
Thanks for confirming.

There's a compression spring inside the early handle.

I just took mine apart last week.

There is a spring at the yoke just before the firewall. Other than that it probably just needs cleaning and lube at the pivot and cable joints.

Mine was frozen where the cable connects to the handle.

Hmm, I'm missing that spring at the firewall. I don't see where/how a spring connects.

Do you have a picture?

Hmm, I'm missing that spring at the firewall. I don't see where/how a spring connects.
Everything is free and loose.
Do you have a picture?

914rubber sells the spring

looks like this:
https://914electric.files.wordpress.com/201...4/handbrake.jpg

The spring at the firewall is only on later cars. If you're using stock components an two-piece eBrake handle won't have the firewall spring ever.

There is a spring just behind the button, and there is a 'finger-spring' at the rear end of the pushbutton-rod. Those finger springs almost always break. But the symptom for that failure is that the pawl won't click against the teeth and the eBrake won't hold at the top when you set it.

I got in the habit of pushing down on the joint in the middle of the lever after I release it.

Learned something new. Couldn't remember if my 72 had one.

Thanks

I agree with all of the above.
The old handle is such a quirky mechanism that when it is set most drivers would not be able to release it.

That's funny, it was the first thing I took out of my 72 and put in the 73. That and the seatbelts.