Handbrake Adjustment

safrane

Member
Messages
16,749
May not be the handbrake, it could be the pads sticking onto the disc is they are not moving in the callipers easily
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,749
Responding to post 53 P.

Stated it felt like the hand brake was sticking despite not being used. In this wet weather you can find the brake pads sticking giving a similar effect
 

JonH

Junior Member
Messages
390
Given the problems I've had before, I am not washing it and then putting it away...as tempting as it is with my OCD tendency around the masser,.....but I guess it is so wet recently, especially where I live(not far from the island village of Muchelney). I've also been engaging the handbrake a few times whilst driving as suggested.
I'll keep at it and see how it goes. Be really depressing if it happens again.

Thanks for all your advice.

Jon
 

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
Jon,
I never used to park the 4200 with the handbrake on in the garage, unless I was out of course then you have to..!! I still used to get the crack off with the brakes when first moving off, i think this was the pads as you brake and come to a standstill and if you have a tiny rust film on the discs overnight, this will do it..!!
Frank,
Handbrake I always pull on for a few seconds when moving slowly, two or three times, this cleans the shoes and the inner edge of the braking surface..!! Your issus sounds like the cable is not pulling on the shoes enough..!! If you have cleaned the shoes and the surface and it still does not bite, then it sounds like a cable issue to me, it is a simple system but every part has to work..!! Have you taken the drums off and pulled on the handbrake to see if you get full travel..??
Cheers
R
 

Parisien

Moderator
Messages
34,927
Hi Rob, we will strip down Mon/Tues and sort, whether do just shoes and or front and rear cables....we will see, hacked off....as MOT less

P
 

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
Frank,
Handbrake shoes should last ages..!! If you have good movement on the shoes and they are clean, I would go for the cables and see if you have any that are frayed, once they are they can catch on everything..!! They could have also rusted and have a sort of knuckle on them, which could stop them from sliding freely..!!
Cheers
R
 

JonH

Junior Member
Messages
390
Jon,
I never used to park the 4200 with the handbrake on in the garage, unless I was out of course then you have to..!! I still used to get the crack off with the brakes when first moving off, i think this was the pads as you brake and come to a standstill and if you have a tiny rust film on the discs overnight, this will do it..!!
Frank,
Handbrake I always pull on for a few seconds when moving slowly, two or three times, this cleans the shoes and the inner edge of the braking surface..!! Your issus sounds like the cable is not pulling on the shoes enough..!! If you have cleaned the shoes and the surface and it still does not bite, then it sounds like a cable issue to me, it is a simple system but every part has to work..!! Have you taken the drums off and pulled on the handbrake to see if you get full travel..??
Cheers
R

I think you're probably right Rob, fingers crossed.
With regard to the handbrake cable, I need to tighten it up(not that I plan on much use) ...where do I access it to do so?

Jon
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,594
Check the cable has not come off at the shoes, it happened to me, very embarrassing.
 

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
Jon,
I'm not sure mate, there will be adjustment somewhere, sometimes underneath the handbrake lever itself, sometimes along the length of the cable, someone may answer that on here..!!
Cheers
R
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,223
Jon, drop the rear wheels off and adjust each side set of shoes with a screwdriver as discussed and back off enough to just have no contact, put the rears on again and jack the near side front and back. Jerk the handbrake several times quite violently to settle and balance the cable then from the left side go under the mid-rear side of the car (around the back of the doors) and find the adjuster for the cable, with a couple of large adjustables you can tighten the slack out of the cable so that 1 click gives light contact and three is fully on. Remember to regularly apply for a few seconds (10 seconds) at low speed (20 mph) to keep the friction surfaces in tip top condition.
 

JonH

Junior Member
Messages
390
Jon, drop the rear wheels off and adjust each side set of shoes with a screwdriver as discussed and back off enough to just have no contact, put the rears on again and jack the near side front and back. Jerk the handbrake several times quite violently to settle and balance the cable then from the left side go under the mid-rear side of the car (around the back of the doors) and find the adjuster for the cable, with a couple of large adjustables you can tighten the slack out of the cable so that 1 click gives light contact and three is fully on. Remember to regularly apply for a few seconds (10 seconds) at low speed (20 mph) to keep the friction surfaces in tip top condition.

Thanks guys....I'll give it a go this weekend.
 

JonH

Junior Member
Messages
390
Responding to post 53 P.

Stated it felt like the hand brake was sticking despite not being used. In this wet weather you can find the brake pads sticking giving a similar effect

Yep, looks like its the pads on the discs. Took the discs off to look at the handbrake shoes and do a bit of adjustment (only took 20 mins as all greased up from previous access). New shoes look good, need a bit more wearing in while driving by the looks of them, but what is pretty clear is a couple of nice brake pad 'rust' impressions on the discs.......this ***** weather.:capricorn:
 

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
I thought that might be it, wet discs and pads then parking up, that will do it..!!
 

Parisien

Moderator
Messages
34,927
So.......after two 1.5 hour sessions, we changed the handbrake cable....completely F****** it was...pics to follow...........not used new shoes as the old relined set only half worn and in decent condition. It now has a nice, slightly elastic feel to it.......am pleased.


Tested it on a 1:2 incline......held well!

MOT tomorrow..........


P
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,223
Excellent news Frank; could be the strongest handbrake on the forum! 1:2 is impressive...