Ok,

MOT due Nov' so going by condition and function of car without doing a underbody check the only thing that it could fail on is the handbrake.

Got two days off this week to get it in some sort of working order as my MOT station is sympathetic when it comes to Fiat handbrakes as they are all rubbish apparently.

So main questions are

What tools will I need?

Can I retighten the hub nut using simple ratchet and avoid untoward damage?

Any tips on getting the drum off if it's tight?

Any help appreciated.

Liam

Liam,

Read the faq sticky first (if you haven't already). You don't need the hub nut off unless you're changing the backplates or bearings.
All you need is a ty-rap to keep the pistons in the brake cylinder when you take the shoes out, some pliers, screwdrivers and the strength of King Kong to get that bloody bottom spring located right. Drum should come off with a light bat, don't hit it direct with a hammer thoug as it may shatter - have a lump of wood in between hammer and drum.

Check those linkages though, they do sieze up real regular and the handbrake cables do tend to get tight as well.

Exellent Peter!

good bloke, cheers.

Liam

I thought this was bull**** until i tried it but my local garage told me a quick way to tighten the handbrake. Get on a straight piece of road preferably with no cars about. Reverse the car as quickly as you can and then yank the handbrake up and slam on the brakes at the same time. Seems to adjust them and you get a tight handbrake again. Worked on mine

lmao, you serious?

fixitagaintomorrow said:

some pliers, screwdrivers and the strength of King Kong to get that bloody bottom spring located right.

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The bottom spring is a real nasty piece of work. I think me and my dad found that its best if you remove the top spring first. Then push the bottom of the shoe away from where it rests until it is able to be gently levered towards you. Do this on both shoes then try removing the lower spring, it should be easier now becasue the tension in it may be slightly less.
Hard to explain i am afraid. The general intension is to get the bottom tabs of the shoe to be infront of the plate they sit behind. Be sure that your car is well chocked and supported when trying to remove the springs because its easy to rock the car on the axle stands due to the amount of force being applied.

This is the post where I normally report on how the fix went and to thank folks for their advice but when I went to move my Pop's car from the garage it wouldn't start so no space to work on the cinq and no access to tools.

Close to exploding so I am!

Liam

Try the reversing trick it honestly works. Even if it doesn't for you you haven't lost anything

I have heard of the reversing trick so I'd say it holds water.

Liam

true, what it helps to do is centralise the shoes so the self adjuster gets a better position.

Ooh...fancies giving reverse trick a go.

GeX, fancy trying to repeat what that Corsa did on the back-road tomorrow morning? Except sort of sieways, striking the barrier backwards?? Hehehe...Thought not

arseofbox said:

GeX, fancy trying to repeat what that Corsa did on the back-road

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I`ll explain. Tom and myself were goin the usual route back from Lancs uni back to town along a back route that runs parallel to the A6. About floor it when i see a police van ahead on the bend. Turns out some muppet in a corsa had managed to flip his car onto its roof. Looking at the skid marks and dug up turf he musta been goin really fast and stuffed it up big time.

Anywhoo, i hit a dog today. Damn thing ran out in front of me, no owner to be seen. It bounced off and carried on running, nearly gettting hit again by the car coming the opposite direction. It seemed fine and didn't damage my car so not to worry.

That was a good bounce off the passenger side wheel!
T'was good no further damage was done mind!