Technical Handbrake

[Stonesy]

Hi, My handbrake is hardly holding and guess it needs adjusting.?

57 plate Bravo diesel multijet 1.9 120
I've looked around the forum and see you can adjust the cable by tightening the nut
However, my car doesn't have a leather boot around the handbrake it has a sliding plastic insert so I can't see where I can access the nut/cable...

Can anyone give me some advice please

Thanks!

 

[Craig830]

Remove the tray that passes as an arm rest. Two t25 torx bolts under the little rubber mat.

Remove the circular air vent for the rear passengers by pulling towards the rear seats.

Remove the rear panel from under the circular vent, just pulls out.

You will be able to see the adjuster nut, and will need deep reach sockets, unless you want to remove the whole centre trim

 

[jimboy]

You may need to check the cables for corrosion/stretching beyond just adjustment alone.

 

[Stonesy]

Remove the tray that passes as an arm rest. Two t25 torx bolts under the little rubber mat.

Remove the circular air vent for the rear passengers by pulling towards the rear seats.

Remove the rear panel from under the circular vent, just pulls out.

You will be able to see the adjuster nut, and will need deep reach sockets, unless you want to remove the whole centre trim

THANKS!!

Can you tell me what size socket i will need please
Thanks again for your help...:worship:

 

[Craig830]

99% sure it's a 10mm

 

[Stonesy]

Thanks!

I've tightened the cable and now have 3/4 clicks.


BUT the handbrake is hardly holding?

Brakes seem fine when driving but that could be down to the front brakes so not sure about the rear.

Looks like plenty of "meat" on the rear pads so maybe a good clean/lubricate of the brake assembly ?

Any Ideas?

 

[Craig830]

Strip down the rear brakes and check for free movement of the pads.

Remove the rear pads and get a second person to apply and release the handbrake repeatedly while you check that the caliper piston moves out by a couple of mm then goes back in.

If it doesn't you probably need either a refurb or replacement caliper.

The piston seals expand and grab the piston too tightly

 

[jimboy]

Aye, as I guessed, usually more required when the handbrake ceases to function as it should. As said about caliper, check the piston etc & it's worth giving the cables a looking at while you are at it.

 

[The Panda Nut]

The hand brake should self adjust. You should not nut touch the cable adjusters. If you do so when you fit new pads you will have problems. To shall we say encourage the adjusters.
With the engine running depress the foot brake hard and pump 2-3 times. Depress the foot brake on hard. While the foot brake is on hard pull the hand brake. You will be able to pull it nearly vertical. DO this half a dozen times and them release the brakes. Hey presto the adjuster will have taken up the slack and you should have normal / short hand brake movement. 3 or 4 clicks will operate the hand brake well. Works like clockwork on mine. Did this routine before the MOT today and reduced the lever travel from 6 clicks to 3. I often do the routine at traffic lights to keep things regular.

 

[jimboy]

The handbrake is perhaps one of the most neglected parts on a car & only looked at when it's not functioning properly. Especially on older cars things seize up. It's a good habit to get into when you are changing oil & filter for instance to give the braking system a look over. I mention brake cables for the simple reason they tend to corrode quite easily & stick inside the outer cable. Lubrication is the obvious answer. Self adjusters "should" do there job but again if neglected they can cease to do their job properly.