Hello all,

Having a nightmare adjusting my handbrake and it's really annoying me!

I've replaced my rear mud shields, handbrake shoes, discs and pads, but can't seem to adjust the handbrake properly!

I've followed the procedure in the wiki, only difference is had to do one side at a time, but my handbrake doesn't seem to self adjust, if I pull it all the way up it doesn't even hold

Would the problem be I'm doing one side at a time, or is there something else I should know?!

Cheers,

Steve

P.S my Dad made some awesome mud shields for me easy peasy

mud shields look great ! 1937 model y hot rod 1000bhp rover75 v8 vincert blackshadow plus several boats and other toyz ! ford f150 raptor Mercedes e class convertible jaguar f pace

Cheers!

All I had to do was cut the old one off, put the 4 bolts in then bolt them back together! 

I did mine one side at a time, did you pull on the handbrake several times, when you refitted the disc, as that should centralise the shoes.
other than that, the cable is easily dislodged off the pull pivot at the top, ask me how I know
you must make sure that the cable is attached, after pulling several times, adjust the star wheel up on o/sto tighten and down on n/s .
I then released the tension on the star wheel by 6 clicks both sides. This for me works perfect.
hope it helps .
greg.

Thanks for the reply Greg.

I haven't checked it's come off, but I guess it could have, I think I put the drivers side one on the wrong way my Dad said its different both sides but as the cable comes in straight I guess they should be same way?

I've got a feeling I haven't been tightening the star wheel enough... It says ensure you can't turn when handbrake is off, before you unwind it and I could still turn mine.

It seemed quite hard to turn, maybe a gentle tap with hammer onto screwdriver? 

Hi steve, yes it is hard to turn, the star wheel should face the front of the car on both sides. When adjusting it notches against the bottom spring, a decent size flathead screwdriver to lever against the star wheel and hole in brake disc if you see what I mean.
The handbrake pull / pivot iirc is different, the o/s pivot pulls the cable towards the front, connect the cable inside the hook so it is pivoting towards front of car, it can dislodge very easily when you are trying to set the shoes up, have a look at the colour brake dust etc will give a good indication of which way it should be, oh and I put a good smear of copper slip on it.
sorry can't explain much better as when I looked into it, I couldn't find any detailed diagrams, not even in the workshop manual, there was a thread on here somewhere about the position of the star wheel adjuster having to face the front on both sides, but no detail, pictures etc.
I do like your back brake shields by the way. I have seen a similar set up from atlantic british, but as I recall they are quite expensive.
Good luck with the handbrake, hope it works for you.
greg.

Thanks for your reply

Going to pick my new battery up shortly then will go over and attempt the handbrake again... Itching to get the car going so I can MOT and enjoy it! 

Had another go today!

No luck again, adjusted as per instructions, but the handbrake only just starts to work on the top click!

Not sure what it could be  

It's possible the handbrake cable is original and has stretched over time. Unfortunately there is no adjustment to cater for this and I'm afraid the only answer is a new cable.
To date I don't think anyone has come up with a work-around for this, I wish someone would.

I was suspicious about the cables to be honest!

I just don't understand how the 'self adjusting' system works And I've read a few times online new cables haven't done the trick and needed a new handbrake mechanism!

Only thing left to do before MOT! 

Sorry to hear that steve. The adjuster on the cable will only take up the stretch, so as ndf says it's probably a new pair.
the only other thing I can think of is that the cable is routed correctly, and obviously attached to the handbrake, or release fewer notches on the star wheel.
Other than that , I can't help.
sorry
greg.

Just an update for anyone who has come across this thread after hours of tireless searching online...

I've removed the center console today (well tried anyway ) and found that the self adjuster is at its maximum. I found out online that it only allows for 20mm of travel, and if I pull on the adjuster, it comes out about 20mm further.

My thinking is that if I replace the cables, it will pull the adjuster back that extra 20mm, thus putting the handbrake cable under tension and when I pull the handbrake up, will immediately start pulling on the cable, whereas now the first 6 clicks just take the slack out of the cables, because the adjuster won't go in anymore.

Hope this makes sense, no where seems to stock hand brake cables round here so I have ordered some for delivery tomorrow, will update when the weather cheers up / get round to changing them.

Final thing before the MOT is always the worst!!!