Parking break after shoes replacement

PJZ

Junior Member
Messages
62
Hi All,

My car recently failed an mot as the parking break errored.
Ive replaced the shoes - they were bare - but I’ve now noticed the parking break doesn’t stop one of the wheels. It was probably doing it before I replaced them but I can’t be sure. I’ve tried to use the adjusters but no luck. It just seems the parking break isn’t applying on one wheels.

Any ideas?

Thanks!!
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
You need to figure out if the problem is with the shoes or the actuator. If you can get under the car look at the cable attachment to the handbrake mech and compare the side that works with the side that doesn’t with the brake on and off. This will tell you if the cable is pulling the non working side. If it is, the issue with with the shoes inside the rotor, if not, it’s the actuator.
 
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sparkplug155

Member
Messages
126
A new cable sorted mine out when it wasn't pulling very well on one side. Also solved the same issue on my wife's car.
 

Moz1000

Member
Messages
820
I replaced the rear shoes and discs on my GTS a month ago. After fitting, I adjusted each wheel until the wheel locked then backed-off 5 clicks (it doesn't really click, but if you've been in there you know what I mean). MoT passed no problem and brake holds fine on a steep hill.

3 years ago I suspected the rear brakes were binding. The shoes were ok as was the mechanism in the hub. The issue was the cables leading back to the actuator. They had clogged up and rather than replace I cleaned and lubricated them then reassembled. Then all was fine.

Moz
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,223
Yep; one more for cable, my 4200 cable was rusted out completely, a sod of a job to replace but can be done DIY if you can get the car properly lifted safely.
 

PJZ

Junior Member
Messages
62
Hmm. Thanks gents. My next question was going to be how hard is it to do myself but 2b1 has already answered that.
Seems I’m best to find a garage but unfortunately both my indie and relatively local main dealer have shut down.
I’m in Bedford just in-case anyone has some suggestions.

Thanks again.
 

BennyD

Sea Urchin Pate
Messages
14,994
Why you would need to park up and take a break after buying new shoes is a mystery to me but, if it works for you, go for it.
 
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Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Hmm. Thanks gents. My next question was going to be how hard is it to do myself but 2b1 has already answered that.
Seems I’m best to find a garage but unfortunately both my indie and relatively local main dealer have shut down.
I’m in Bedford just in-case anyone has some suggestions.

Thanks again.

Your old Indie is now in Towcester, but this is not especially tricky so a competent local garage would be able to help I am sure.
 

HowardM

Junior Member
Messages
37
For a competent garage in Bedford I'd suggest Enterprise Motors on Dean St. They've been around for many many years. I've been getting my MOTs done there since 1986 (even though I live in Huntingdon now) because they do a thorough but honest job.
 

azapa

Member
Messages
1,300
on my strad, that still looks new underneath, no grubbiness, they were binding and crunching too. they are defo not set up well at the factory. The left side was tighter than the right too. I have hardly ever used the ebrake. Must be terrible in with damp, gritty roads. Just bad engineering, to be honest.
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,223
My point is not the difficulty in changing the cable but being comfortable 100% under the vehicle with both arms around the gearbox doing bolts and cable retainers blind. The cable is mostly on top of the gearbox.