Rusty was converted to disc brakes on the rear during her young years and has always had good brakes but ive never been able to lock the rear wheels up with the handbrake which id quite like to be able to do as i fancy doing a bit of auto testing.
During my ownership ive replaced the calipers twice due to handbrake mechanism seizing up (lastest ones last year) along with cables, discs and pads but still no joy (handbrake is on 3 clicks).

Does anyone else have the same issue or any advice?

Without seeing the car, I can only guess, but like all bowden cables, the handbrake cable needs a stop at each end to function properly.

Usually people bodge the rear stop.

Ideally, make up a new cable so you can use the stop on the caliper. Otherwise, weld something suitable to the trailing suspension arms.

This is what i found, use jubliee clip to hold the cable tight to the arm. IT helped !

You can just see the end of the cable in this pic.
Ive cut the loop bit off the end as that was how the old cable was that snapped.

Ill clean them all up once again and try the jubilee clip idea.

Thanks guys

would it be worth going to a hydraulic handbrake lever?
Im new to seicentos
was this standard or pilfered from another car? Looks good

Pilfered. See here.

Im thinking hydraulic handbrake is the way forward as ive got plenty of pipe, ends and a flaring tool so all i need is the handbrake and cylinder :slayer:

I know it wont pass the MOT with is but im sure i can get around this

Ohhhh this looks like an idea :slayer:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hydraulic-Handbrake-Hand-Brake-Cable-Attachment-Fitting-/120860331162?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c23d64c9a

Easy work around is probably to leave the existing handbrake (for MOT) and remove the handle from the hydraulic one (for MOT). Sparece is going to be tight, but alongside the "transmission tunnel" maybe?

Hi Lee
That hydraulic handbrake/cable hybrid looks a tasty bit of kit
I looked at fitting one but just couldn't see where it was going to fit as I wanted the hydraulic lever vertical so I could pull it towards me rather than upwards but there isn't room.
If you're auto testing on Tarmac then you need a really responsive handbrake but if your doing the grass variety you might get away with your current setup and save £100s
I did a grass auto test recently in my ford connect van, and I was a bit worried the handbrake wasn't up to it as despite all my efforts it's never locked up on Tarmac, but it was effortless to lock the rears on grass so i got away with it.
Come and try it out on the auto test we discussed on another thread recently and you might find out its plenty good enough
I think it is likely to be a bit more like an autosolo, all forwards, and only a couple of handbrake turns
You won't stop smiling for days