Technical Stilo handbrake only locks one back wheel

[killer1734]

Hi I need some help please.
I recently replaced the back brakes on my Fiat Stilo and checked on this site on what i needed to do to replace them.I used a G clamp and some stilsons.
And i have now found that brakes work ok but the handbrake cable needed adjusting as it went from 6 clicks to 9.
Now when i look at adjustment cable area i have noticed that 1 cable is now longer than other when handbrake on.
I have checked callipers to make shore cables are still attached and they were.
I think something has gone wrong with the automatic brake adjustment on back passenger wheel.
I did make shore the handbrake cables were disconnected from callipers when i changed the pads.And reconnected when done.
I have also took passenger side callipers off again and took the piston completely out by unwinding it and cleaned it up and refitted piston.
Fitted pads again and then blead the brake.
I still have the same problem the handbrake will not work on passenger back wheel.
Any help would be appriciated as FIRST MOT due end of this month.

 

[Deckchair5]

Sounds like you haven't put the handbrake cables back correctly.

Remove the handbrake adjuster cover and back off the handbrake adjuster nut at least 3 whole turns. Then, with the engine running, hit the brakes hard at least 10 times to get the adjusters moving up evenly on both sides. Then tighten up the adjuster again until the brakes just start to touch at the first handbrake click

 

[killer1734]

Hi
Done what you said and slackened off handbrake cable then started engine and stamped on brake pedal 20 times just to be shore then tightened up handbrake cable again so only 4 notches when handbrake on.
The passenger side still not putting on brake and cable for passenger side still longer when pulled on handbrake.
Has anyone got a schematic breakdown picture of the rear brake mechanism so i can figure out how it works with the handbrake automatic adjusment.

 

[PNL]

Here you go mate ..hope that helps
http://www.spangerum.com:7080/navi?...INT_MODE=0&EPER_CAT=SP&WINDOW_ID=1&GUI_LANG=3

I have a feeling that the mechanism at the back of the caliper could be your problem here and it wouldn't go amiss if you jacked up the car and checked if its operational when someone else pulls up the handbrake for you

 

[Argonought]

The passenger side still not putting on brake and cable for passenger side still longer when pulled on handbrake.

How can it be longer if you've adjusted the cable

Is the cable taut on both sides when handbrake is on?

 

[killer1734]

Hi Thanks for the link to the Pics.I was hoping it would show you a breakdown of the callipper mechanism so i could see the principle behind how the handbrake adjustment works on the piston.

To the other person who replied.
When i say that the handbrake cable is longer i mean when the handbrake adjustment plate pulls on both cables it pulls the handbrake plate at an angle.
So basically the brake that doesnt hold is the longest cable that is more towards the handbrake lever. So basically there is more travel on the cable that feeds the brake callipper thats not working.It seems like whatever moves the piston when handbrake is pulled hasnt adjusted properly when new brake pads fitted.So when handbrake on cable pulls wire and moves the arm on callipper but still isnt moving the piston enough to hold the disc firm.Both cables are taught.
I was told to slacken off cables and pump the brake pedal with engine running and then tightened handbrake cable adjuster again to 3 clicks but hasnt made any difference.Non working calliper still has the longest travel on cable when handbrake applied.
Yet normal braking using brake pedal works.
Im stuck as i have took apart callipers twice same as how i did the side thats working and cant figure out whats going on.

 

[Deckchair5]

It sounds almost as if your cable has snapped or is not even connected. The compensator plate should look pretty even and be at right angle to the cables; if it isn't then you will have very uneven braking effect. You need to have someone apply the handbrake whilst you watch what's happening at the brake caliper.



Have you fed the cable back through the mounting properly before attaching the nipple to the caliper? Sorry to sound obvious but we wont laugh if you forgot-honest- we've all done far worse

Your brake hydraulics sound ok


Haven't replaced a cable have you? As they do stretch a lot and often need both replacing at the same time

 

[Argonought]

Decks has provided some good advice there but if you've done all that then I'd suggest:

1. Wind back caliper again on suspect side.
2. Refit pads etc.
3. Now only use handbrake to wind in the piston (if you can't do this then you've definitely got a problem )
4. Now verify foot brake is OK

 

[Chris v8]

Sorry to bring an old thread back to life as my first post. My stilo has the same problem as this and it failed its mot on this. So i have changed everything bar the disks. It's has a new cable and caliper but i still cannot get the handbrake to hold on this wheel.

Have i missed something.

thanks in advance

 

[Deckchair5]

Did it fail just on handbrake efficiency or was there a brake imbalance on the rears on foobrake too?

Did you follow the correct procedure of backing off the handbrake cable, then apply brakes many times to adjust up the pads to the disc and then retighten handbrake cable?

 

[Chris v8]

hi just on handbrake efficiency i have tried quite a few things with no luck.

 

[Deckchair5]

Just on handbrake efficiency i have tried quite a few things with no luck.
You could always let us know what you've tried or maybe just leave us guessing

If your rear brakes passed the MOT and were in balance then you know the pads/calipers/ discs are ok and it's just the handbrake mechanism at fault

It's has a new cable and caliper
If you replaced just one cable then that will cause an imbalance as cable stretches a lot over time and you'd have one cable much shorter than the other. The fact the balance lever is not at right angles to the cables means cables aren't same length or one cable is seized.

 

[Daph]

Hey!

I had the same problem and also failed the mot over it, i did what Deckchair5 did in post 2 but slightly differently,

I loosened the hand brake as far until it the nut thing was all the way at the end, ie I didnt think it would be any looser without falling off.

Then instead of just pressing the brakes 10 or 20 times I took the car for a spin around the town and stood hard on the brakes every time I stopped at the traffic lights and held the pedal all the way down, ie as hard as I could.

When I tightened the cable all the way up again the cable was balanced and the braking seems to be sorted.

so hopefully itl pass the mot now!