Hello All...My 1992 mint condition Uno (26k warranted miles) has two issues I need advice on. The first is that the handbrake when engaged to the max only just stops the car from rolling on a slope. I feel this wont last and that it's almost at cable snapping point. Is there a simple mechanical adjustment possible ? I've been reading threads on Seicento handbrake adjustment but assume that info doesn't apply to my Uno. Can anyone advise please ??
The second issue is about the wing-mirrors. I am struggling to see anything useful reflected in their very narrow lenses. Short of strapping some oversized caravan mirrors onto them I would ask whether I might find larger fiat mirrors which are interchangeable with these originals ?
Many thanks for your time and advice should you reply to these questions.
All the best
Alicefiat

Hello Alicefiat - welcome to the forum :wave:

Take a look at https://www.fiatforum.com/uno/167585-uno-handbrake-not-working.html - a recent thread about much the same thing. I'm sure if you do an Advanced Search (in the Uno section) for 'handbrake', you'll turn up lots of hits and even some photos of the curved metal levers (to operate the brake shoes) that probably need replacing.

As for the wing mirrors; the mirror should be a convex (wide-angle) type - objects in the mirror should be closer than they appear If not, then perhaps someone has replaced the glass and that could be causing the problem you have.

Also a common problem is that the mirror body isn't fitted tightly enough and swivels down, so the remote control doesn't move the glass 'up' enough. The solution is to do up the metal ring under the lever's rubber boot. Certain basic Uno models don't have remote-controlled mirrors, so this advice may not apply. However, the basic non-remote type of mirror has a ball socket on a ledge that may provide a mounting to which you can neatly attach a larger universal mirror - so may be worth looking for this basic type at a wreckers. Note that a mirror for a 3-dr is different to a mirror for a 5-dr.

Cheers,
-Alex

Hi Alex...thank you so much. I will look for a substitute larger mirror to replace the two standard on the car. My problem arises from the narrowness of the existing lenses. It's like trying to line up your eye to a sight on the end of a rifle barrel...
Because the car has been so little used since 1992 (only 126 miles between the last two Mots) I imagine it's going to be a clean up and grease job. I'll know by the end of the afternoon. Many thanks for your link info.
Much appreciated
Alice

hi.daughters 93 uno 1108ise handbreak just will not hold sufficiently despite new cables -everything freed and greased-break linnings at 4mm -beakdrum interior at 186mm-adjustment can be 3 notches or 6 wheels still turn with some resistence-adjusted socalled auto adjusters by hand prior to fitting hubs.could problem be shoe adjuster being loose ? cannot see any problem with backplate lever although they are basic and move around but work-dont look bent-car has 67000 miles-as stated shoes look new -can anyone advise before this becomes a money pit

I do not want to state to obvious, but I will anyway.

It the shoes are getting down, and the adjusters are slipping, the lever angles will be all wrong.

That could mean a tight cable, only comes our 3-4 notches, but will not hold.

I would remove the wheels and rear drums, and make sure the adjusters are working properly. If they are not, then attend to that issue first.

I have just been there and done that, see my thread on the "long brake pedal".

Rbn

thanks rawill for reply,shoe lining at 4mm is the same as a new shoe -have tried to locate a thicker lining without success-looked at your long breakpedal but i do not have that problem-i am thinking that problem is the auto adjusters moving (ie to loose) it has been suggested that i put shoes in a vice and squeeze up on the adjuster rings but i have doubts doing this asc one could lock them up -i feel buying newer shoes MAY solve problem even though currant shoes show no wear and appear new

You might be able to tighten the adjusters in the vice like has been suggested.

I am not sure, but I suspect the coating that is put on relined shoes "lubricates the adjusters" causing them to slip.

If you have the drims off, use a screwdriver to move the shoes out on the adjusters and see if the springs pull the adjustment back off.

If the springs do pull the adjustment off that could be your problem.

Normally when you put your foot on the brake it will move the shoes out, they should stay there.

Then adjust the handbrake cable so it comes on tight at about 4 clicks. When you have it set like that it should be good.

03hotel5 said:

thanks rawill for reply,shoe lining at 4mm is the same as a new shoe -have tried to locate a thicker lining without success-looked at your long breakpedal but i do not have that problem-i am thinking that problem is the auto adjusters moving (ie to loose) it has been suggested that i put shoes in a vice and squeeze up on the adjuster rings but i have doubts doing this asc one could lock them up -i feel buying newer shoes MAY solve problem even though currant shoes show no wear and appear new

Click to expand...

Hi ,
are you absolutey sure that there is no contamination / glazing of the shoes or drum?,

the uno and panda brakes were never great,
but correct adjustment would get them back to a serviceable condition.

Personally - I would slacken the cable right off,

lever out the shoes and set the "self-adjusters" until the lip-free drums will just about twist/ slide over the shoes,( usually settle in ok from this point),
then a couple of hard presses of the foot brake pedal will get things centred-up , then add the 2 x drum locking bolts - tighten by hand,
adjust cable to attain a 2 - 3 click action,
then pull on hard 3/4 clicks, and lock up 2 drum bolts and refit wheels,
then release handbrake , check both wheels spin freely,

if o.k.,
pull handbrake on 2 clicks and see how tightly the drums are holding,

this may highlight an issue here,



let us know what you find,

Charlie - Oxford

I had the same problem with the UNO handbrake.
I spent a couple of days finding out why the handbrake
did not work anymore.
Due to a faulty construction the lever that pushes the break pads
on the inner drum, will affect only the upper part of the break pad.
So this area wears off a lot more than the rest of the break pad.
I could be solved by constructing a lever with a larger diameter.
The only thing you can do is to replace the break pads.
Even if they are hardly worn.
Sounds odd , it solves the problem.

hi,to everyone who responded to my dilemma a BIG THANKYOU-however despite trying EVERYsuggestion we remain as we were-BUT-according to several oldtimers (not known to each other) in the motor trade there apparently was a known remedy in the trade: you take the top adjust ment bar that goes across the top of the shoes keeping them apart and where the shoes fit into the "U" shape keeping them in place a weld was added to the inside of each "U" this had the effect of pushing the shoes apart on fitting and assisting in giving an extra edge to adjusting the handbreak.i have not tried this yet as i need to know how much weld is required ,i was hoping to find some spare bars to experiment on but have not found any yet,i will get back to the forum once i can get the depth of weld required.Any thoughts on the above are naturaly welcomed.

No biggie here. If you do that mod, which sounds like a good one!

First have a look and see if you can see any wear, if not then I am sure that 1-2 mm would be plenty.
However, if you do put on too much, then the only thing that would happen is that the shoes would be out too far in the unadjusted position. If that happened you would simply grind a little of the weld off until you got a nice fit.


good luck

Rbn

thanks rawill,all replies gratefully recieved-HOT NEWS-have spocken to one of my sources and have been told that a SPOT WELD no more than 1/8th of an inch thick inside each "u" would be sufficient -any more and the break drum will not fit back on.anyway there we are, all i have to do is get my daughter to let me try this out !! and if anyone out there is in a position to try this as well let us know how you get on.MORE HOT NEWS-just been told that the little uno has decided to cut out whilst on the move and when comming to a stop at lights and rounabouts,will this nightmare never endddddddd.

I live in South Africa
My Fiat Uno has the same problem with the handbrake.
I have taken my car to 3 different mechanics and none of them were able to repair the problem. My handbrake is worth less.
The one mechanic told me that the Fiat Uno was assembled in South Africa for the South African market and to save money they used an inferior handbrake mechanism.
I have wasted so much money on trying to get the handbrake to work, now I just don't bother using it anymore.

Also doesn't help that the shoes only wear off at the tips, makeing them look OK, but being functionaly useless... I would start by replaceing them, they are only like R200 a set at autozone (not even 20 quid).



If you have a mid 90's model, I'd also replace the little brake cylinders at the top, they are about R60 each, the rubbers inside goes bad after such long exposure to break fluid.
Make sure the self adjusters are not stuck. We clamped mine in a vice and made them loose again by prying around with a large screwdriver's stem.

Hyperspace I think you have a point there with your comment ("Also doesn't help that the shoes only wear off at the tips, makeing them look OK, but being functionaly useless.")
I will print out your comment and tell my 4th mechanic to do exactly as you have advised. I will let you know if it has worked.