Handbrake adjustment

[Arbman Al]

Hi All,

Been trying to search for what is the best way to adjust the handbrake, I remember reading about a particular method but can't find it now - damn this search function not working:X

Can anyone enlighten me?

TIA....Al.

[Paul B]

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The handbrake mechanism should self adjust using the ratchet mechanism on the brake shoes.

If you think the cables have stretched, then I don't think there is any adjustment at the front, but you can shorten them where they attach to thelever atthe rear, if they aren't corroded!

Regards, Paul.

[Arbman Al]

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Thanks for your reply Paul.

I thought there was some additional method that esured the handbrake worked at it's best?

Should the brake pedal be pumped to adjust yhe pads, and then attach the handbrake cable?

Al

[Thurlo Squire]

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Al

With the handbrake cables disconnected at the clevis pin stamp on the brake pedal hard a couple of times so that the self adjusters take up any slack.Then re-connect the cable and take up any slack in the cable using the adjusters at the end of the cable on each side of the car.

Nigel

[Arbman Al]

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Thanks Nigel.

Going in the garage now to get this car sorted once and for all!!

Rgds....Al.

[Thurlo Squire]

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Good luck with your MOT this afternoon.............nearly there.......Nigel

[big lad]

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When I did mine , I disconnected the handbrake cables as you said and then got someone to sit in the car and hold the foot brake down and I got hold of each of the handbrake leavers and pushed them forward a few times, you can hear the adjusters clicking up ,reconnect the cables , job done.Hope that helps.

Tony

[Marco Polo]

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big lad wrote:

When I did mine , I disconnected the handbrake cables as you said and then got someone to sit in the car and hold the foot brake down and I got hold of each of the handbrake leavers and pushed them forward a few times, you can hear the adjusters clicking up ,reconnect the cables , job done.Hope that helps.

Tony

Al,

This method works well, and it's alot easier than trying to fit a windscreen. Good Luck with the MOT!

regards,

Raoul

[StagnJag]

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I had the handbrake cable attached when I did mine. I found that you can move the adjuster out a few clicks using a screwdriver through the hole in the drum. Make sure you don't go too far or the brakes will bind though! I can now torque up my wheel nuts to 90lbf with the wheels off the ground. It would probably take more but I don't want to break the wheel studs!

If your drums are fresh and haven't worn down you can operate the adjuster and set it so that you can just get the drum on. That seems to work too. My personal opinion is that the adjusters do not adjust far enough and that is why the handbrake can be a bit iffy.

Regards

Dave

[DJT]

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As has already been mentioned, disconnect the cables from the levers by removing the clevis pins.

Use a bit of string, or similar, and pull the levers into the 'off' position and secure them. Then hit the brake pedal a few times to take up the auto-adjust mechanism.

Finally reconnect the cables, adjusting as necessary to take up any slack.

Just tightening the cable will not improve the handbrake, which is where many people go wrong and then find that the car won't pass the MOT.

It is critical that the lever inside the brake drums is free to pivot on its centre hinge and hasn't seized.

Dave

[V Mad]

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As you say Dave the pivot can get seized, or just dry and rusty. Its worth mentioning that the rear brakes can bind if the lever/adjuster assembly is not clean and lubricated. To do it properly requires removing the shoes, and taking out the adjuster. Use only a high melting point grease sparingly and push it into the pivot pin.

[Arbman Al]

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Marco Polo wrote:

big lad wrote:

When I did mine , I disconnected the handbrake cables as you said and then got someone to sit in the car and hold the foot brake down and I got hold of each of the handbrake leavers and pushed them forward a few times, you can hear the adjusters clicking up ,reconnect the cables , job done.Hope that helps.

Tony

Al,

This method works well, and it's alot easier than trying to fit a windscreen. Good Luck with the MOT!

regards,

Raoul

Hi Raoul,

Taking the engine and gearbox out as one lump and putting it back in again is easier than doing the f*****g windscreen

Rgds....Al.

[StagnJag]

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What are you doing here on the forum, get back out there and finish your car! Brands Hatch bekons!

:P:P:P:P:P:P:P

Dave

[Arbman Al]

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StagnJag wrote:

What are you doing here on the forum, get back out there and finish your car! Brands Hatch bekons!

:P:P:P:P:P:P:P

Dave

Sorry Guv, don't know what I was thinking of coming in and having some tea!