- 29
- Ireland
- LexJuris
Small mod to allow users of the Thrustmaster TSS Sparco handbrake to adjust spring tension preload on the fly. Inside the TSS Thrustmaster has assembled the mechanism (from centre) as
(Pic 1) metal block > split washer > nut > nut >large blocking washer > spring.
Solution to adjustable preload is to remove the first nut and washer by the metal block and move them further up the shaft towards the spring and reverse the nut washer order. You will need locking grips as its very very tight due to the split washer. Back the M8 shaft out of the metal block and reverse the nut washer order as pic 2 below so its
(Pic 2) metal block > nut > split washer > nut > Large blocking washer > spring
Now you can adjust the preload by turning the hex headed shaft on the outside of the handbrake either by hand or with an allen key. The previously fixed position M8 shaft is free to move in and out of the metal block increasing or decreasing spring preload tension, counter clockwise to increase tension, clockwise to decrease tension.
I recommend that at its loosest spring setting the M8 shaft should be flush with the farthest end of the metal block (closest to the centre of the unit) so when increasing preload tension to its highest with the shaft backing out of the block there is still a large contact area between shaft and block to maintain stability, rigidity and strength in use.
This should have been the way TM constructed it in the 1st place imho but as with many design choices on the TSS Sparco handbrake it leaves you scratching your head wondering why it wasn't. Just as Barry Rowland of Sim Racing Garage complained in his review the springs TM used aren't the stiffest so still looking into adding an additional spring or replacing the original for a stiffer unit but haven't decided yet. Enjoy.
(Pic 1) metal block > split washer > nut > nut >large blocking washer > spring.
Solution to adjustable preload is to remove the first nut and washer by the metal block and move them further up the shaft towards the spring and reverse the nut washer order. You will need locking grips as its very very tight due to the split washer. Back the M8 shaft out of the metal block and reverse the nut washer order as pic 2 below so its
(Pic 2) metal block > nut > split washer > nut > Large blocking washer > spring
Now you can adjust the preload by turning the hex headed shaft on the outside of the handbrake either by hand or with an allen key. The previously fixed position M8 shaft is free to move in and out of the metal block increasing or decreasing spring preload tension, counter clockwise to increase tension, clockwise to decrease tension.
I recommend that at its loosest spring setting the M8 shaft should be flush with the farthest end of the metal block (closest to the centre of the unit) so when increasing preload tension to its highest with the shaft backing out of the block there is still a large contact area between shaft and block to maintain stability, rigidity and strength in use.
This should have been the way TM constructed it in the 1st place imho but as with many design choices on the TSS Sparco handbrake it leaves you scratching your head wondering why it wasn't. Just as Barry Rowland of Sim Racing Garage complained in his review the springs TM used aren't the stiffest so still looking into adding an additional spring or replacing the original for a stiffer unit but haven't decided yet. Enjoy.
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