Handbrake Adjustment

[Faheem]

I know there are loads of threads and articles on this on sites such as pelicanparts but I need some advice.

When I bought my car I had my handbrake cables and shoes replaced, the problem is, they seem to go out of adjustment every few months.

The handbrake doesn't seem to hold the car unless it's yanked excessively (right to the top and I still put it in gear for safety) and I've got a very light noise coming from the rear N/S when going over bumps.

I've tried the usual by pulling the handbrake up a couple of clicks whilst driving but that made little or no difference to the noise.

I wanted to ask if this is normal or whether this could be my noise?

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhO15RCb-aw


Also the top nut in the handbrake adjuster from within the car unthreads itself separating it from the 12mm securing nut at the bottom. Is there any harm in tightening the 12mm securing nut at the bottom? I wanted to but don't have a 12mm deep socket so will need to buy one if that is the case.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj4Z0M2ZnxA

 

[t-tony]

Hi Faheem, that video shows that you have definitely not enough tension in the cables mate. 1st. unlock the two nuts from each other and screw them right up to the end of the adjuster threads.2nd. Now adjust the parking brake shoes right up to the "drum" through one of the wheel bolt holes until you cannot turn the drum by hand. Give the drum a few sharp taps with a hammer and readjust the shoes if you can turn the drum. Repeat these steps until you cannot adjust the shoes any more. 3rd. Slacken of f the shoes adjuster by enough that the drum can be turned freely and the same at both sides, usually 3-4 clicks is enough. 4th. Re adjust the cables equally until you have 4-6 clicks on the lever till it locks the wheels. wind down the cable lock nuts and tighten them up to each other to "lock" them.

Tony.

ps. The larger nut is the adjuster nut and the small nut is merely the locking nut.

 

[Bozzy]

this may be of help to you Faheem,taken from the Bentley manual.

Sorry for the cock up,my phone's playing up again.

 

[Faheem]

Thanks Tony, hope you had a safe flight back.

The article on pelican made no mention of loosening the 12mm.

A couple of questions, should you do this with the handbrake up or down, or does it not matter?

I did try looking through the hole for the adjuster but wasn't able to find it. I was using the flashlight on my phone, tried turning the wheel but it was nowhere to be seen, is there a particular position in which I would be more likely to find the adjuster?

@Bozzy Thanks a lot for this Steve, will no doubt come in handy next weekend. I really need to get myself a manual. Problem is for they sell for a ridiculous price.

 

[t-tony]

Thanks Tony, hope you had a safe flight back.

The article on pelican made no mention of loosening the 12mm.
View attachment 55977

A couple of questions, should you do this with the handbrake up or down, or does it not matter?

I did try looking through the hole for the adjuster but wasn't able to find it. I was using the flashlight on my phone, tried turning the wheel but it was nowhere to be seen, is there a particular position in which I would be more likely to find the adjuster?

@Bozzy Thanks a lot for this Steve, will no doubt come in handy next weekend. I really need to get myself a manual. Problem is for the price they sell for a ridiculous price.

But you don't need a manual when you're a member on here bud. A "pen" light is best for locating the adjuster. ALWAYS do the adjustment with the lever in the down (OFF) position or you will get nowhere pretty quick.

Tony.

ps. The adjuster fits between the parking brake shoes at the top, the expander, which spreads the shoes is located between the shoes at the bottom. You need to look through a bolt hole at about 1 or 11 o'clock.

 

[Faheem]

Thanks Tony will try this over the weekend and update on how it's worked. Hopefully that is whats causing my mind noise.

It seems that all I have are noises! The number of noises I've had to deal with since owning the car

Before I forget the project went for the mot and passed, I've sold it on now. Bloke that bought the car drove it 50 miles home and was quite pleased with it. One more zed on the road that may have been scrapped.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

They are the devil's work those adjusters, Faheem. If I remember correctly if you put the bolt hole at the top and then rotate it towards the shock absorber you will find the adjuster somewhere between those points.

 

[t-tony]

They are the devil's work those adjusters, Faheem. If I remember correctly if you put the bolt hole at the top and then rotate it towards the shock absorber you will find the adjuster somewhere between those points.

But that's assuming it's fitted the correct way round, some times they're not and you have to try turning the adjusters both ways until you find the right way. Evening Bryan, you on nights?

Tony.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

But that's assuming it's fitted the correct way round, some times they're not and you have to try turning the adjusters both ways until you find the right way. Evening Bryan, you on nights?

Tony.

Hey up Tony, off all this week, catching the sun .

 

[t-tony]

Hey up Tony, off all this week, catching the sun .

Ha,ha, I was hoping to get some Zedding in today before going back to work mate but the weather put paid to that. Got a few miles in tonight after tea albeit with the roof up, but that's better than nothing eh? I got rained on this morning and I could swear I heard it sizzle as it dried.
Jeeze it's been hot!

Tony.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Just hope it brightens up for Sunday. Sal's birthday this week so we were hoping to get out to Chatsworth but it's not looking promising. Need to test those new shocks and springs. Booked in for new tyres and alignment on Saturday.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Sorry Faheem we are .

 

[t-tony]

I looked at the weekend forecast and it ain't brilliant but a lot can change before then mate. How's Ray?

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

Sorry Faheem we are .

Topic is ongoing. We'll see how Saturday goes.

Tony.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

I looked at the weekend forecast and it ain't brilliant but a lot can change before then mate. How's Ray?

Tony.

Not too bad thanks Tony, I keep threatening to take his ladders away. Ladders and an 80 year old are not a good combination .

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Back on the subject of cars, have you got any of those blanking plates left for the emissions air pump @t-tony.

 

[t-tony]

Along with a "Bloody minded attitude?"

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

Back on the subject of cars, have you got any of those blanking plates left for the emissions air pump @t-tony.

I think so mate, you wanting one?

Tony.

ps. If not I can soon make you one.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

I think so mate, you wanting one?

Tony.

ps. If not I can soon make you one.

Please mate, if you have one handy I will collect on Sunday, but don't go rushing to make one.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Just found out that you can't make Sunday @t-tony. Hope Shirl's back gets better mate.