Technical Handbrakes again!!!

[arseofbox]

Sorry to ask a real stoopid question...

But do yu people think that there is much chance that I might have put my shoes on back to front (eg: NS front should be on OS back)... This because the handbrake just wont pass the MOT, the tester can only get 10% efficiency, and it needs a minimum of 16%!!

Ive replaced the cable, shoes and actuating linkages...the linkages were well greased...the cable is at its upper limit of adjustment (tightest), and its still not working. The greaser reckons the prob is with the shoes as they dont move that much on the handbrake linkage, and rthe drums appear to have plenty meat on them.

He doesnt know how the system works so needs to strip it down, have a cup of tea and a think, then replace it with new gear apparently (the parts have done less than 500miles!!!- so thats gotta be rubbish!!).....that place wants £150 outta me for the privelige of sorting it...Im consulting my usual cash-in-hand guy atm...cos I doubt its any more than 2h labour!!!

#Ideas?

 

[HP]

How many clicks on the handbrake before it starts to drag?

Did you know the handbrake lever is attached to the floor on slotted holes, so you can take up more adjustment there? Had to slacken mine and a friend's off when we fitted new shoes and drums, as even on the slackest setting on the cable the brakes were dragging on - couldn't physically pull the lever more than 1 click up.

You may need new drums, but see if you can get away with the 'other' adjuster first.

People say Cento handbrakes are rubbish, but a proper working one will allow you to lock the rears at speed in the dry.

Should that be the sort of thing you might want to do.... Can't imagine why...

 

[arseofbox]

Handbrakes dragging at 2nd click and on hard at 3rd- I cant pull it to the 4th!

The slotted holes are at their forward limit- the last person to fettle it mustve done that cos theres a rip in the carpet too...

Drums yu say... What sort of wall thickness should I be looking for??

 

[Liam]

Sounds exactly like my trouble and it turned out to be th wrong cable, new one fitted and the handbrake is amazing, may no one say the handbrakes are crap cos mine aint.

Liam

 

[arseofbox]

Well, current feedback from spanner monkey says drums are shagged...I was sort of expecting that anyhoo :bang:, as I have no history of them ever being replaced

 

[Liam]

Can't see the new drums making a huge difference though but I could be wrong, after puting on new drums the cable should need no or very little adjustment to get a reading, don't worry about the height of the handle inside the car aslong as it works then that's the main thing.

Liam

 

[arseofbox]

Well, that im not worrying about, providing I have 16% at 3rd click...
The cable is at its limit and only gives 10% on the NS, but nearer 20% on the OS....need I say theres something amiss there?

 

[Liam]

Read your manual after you get the drums and see if your leading and trailing shoes are on correctly and test each side while jacked up independantly.

Friction adjusters ok?

Liam

 

[arseofbox]

Hmm...Left with mechanic to sort as I frankly didnt have a clue.

Its apparently effective now (16% as required), this was effected by installing a spacer somewhere. I'll look at the car once I return home (Im at uni atm) and report back, but I think she's getting a completely new braking system. (Tarox discs/EBC Greenstuff maybe and standard at the back!)

 

[Liam]

this was effected by installing a spacer somewhere.

Like somewhere to take up the slack in the cable to start getting a pull?

I did this on the second wrong cable, put a lump of weld to make the cable more taught, worked for a week then was rubbish again.

Liam

 

[arseofbox]

Well...It has an MoT now...I'll just park it in gear and replace the entire rear system asap!

 

[beastyjay]

mine failed on the handbrake. i replaced the rear shoes on both sides and replaced the handbrake cable and it works fine now. it actually locks the wheels now the only problem was the drum didnt fit back on cos theres a small lip on the inside so me dad had 2 grind it off

 

[arseofbox]

mine failed on the handbrake. i replaced the rear shoes on both sides and replaced the handbrake cable and it works fine now. it actually locks the wheels now the only problem was the drum didnt fit back on cos theres a small lip on the inside so me dad had 2 grind it off

I had replaced cable, shoes and linkages, and a cylinder (which blew cos i put my foot on the brakes with the drum off...whoops)

I reckon I may have contaminated the friction on one side.. Either way, its gonna be stripped for a total brake rebuild (Tarox front, standard back - but new everything (and I do mean EVERYTHING)) once I finish uni for xmas (2 weeks)