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handbrake not working
d8mok - 7/6/07 at 08:53 AM

My car has the english rear axle on it. I took it for its MOT yesterday and it failed on the nearside wheel handbrake. The handbrake works with a sliding bar to activate the nearside and a cable for offside.

it wont lock the wheel up any suggestions?

zetec7 - 7/6/07 at 08:57 AM

How about some pics of the setup?

Howlor - 7/6/07 at 08:57 AM

Generally I would say that the self adjusters between the brake shoes are worth a try. They could be seized.

Steve

JAG - 7/6/07 at 09:22 AM

As Steve said......

.......and also check that the bar is sliding smoothly and easily.

[Edited on 7/6/07 by JAG]

d8mok - 7/6/07 at 09:38 AM

the bar doesn't move at all. What do i need? a new cable ? or what?

Howlor - 7/6/07 at 09:55 AM

I think pictures would be useful as Zetec7 suggested. Then we can ask you to check different areas to try and identify the cause.

Steve

02GF74 - 7/6/07 at 10:54 AM

quote:
Originally posted by d8mok
the bar doesn't move at all. What do i need? a new cable ? or what?


no pics need for me.

from memory the bar engages passenger side lever and the handbrake cable acts on driver side and connects to pass. side via the bar.

1. when you pull the hadbake lever up, does the cable move? unlikley to have seized but ....

2. then disconnect clevis pin on pass. side - can the lsider bar move now - unlikely to seize as it runs in a rubber bush on the axle.

most likley it is something internal to the drums, the adjsuters being seized.

you need to unseized them WD40 and jiggling the lever about. I seem to recall having to takae them and put in to a vice to strighten out and to free.

to refit, the cams must be fully in - place block of wood on the cam and hit with hammer, otherwise you will not get the drums over the shoes.

Peteff - 7/6/07 at 11:35 AM

It will be the adjuster inside the drum, they are swines for seizing up. I had to take mine off and free it in the vice with loads of WD and a hammer. When you put it back together use a flat screwdriver to push the ridged cam back till you can just get the drum back on or push it all the way in and trust the handbrake to adjust it as you have now fixed it

Howlor - 7/6/07 at 11:38 AM

I know I had a problem were the cams seemed to be working but the handbrake didn't work on one side. The serations on the ratchets had worn and when you pulled the handbrake up they slipped.

Steve

d8mok - 8/6/07 at 07:53 AM

right guys i've taken it too bits, and the problem is obvious. Not sure how to describe it but i'll have a go.

The lever that activates the handbrake that runs through the drum. Its like a L shaped bit of metal. The adjuster for the shoes is on 1 end and a pivot on the other.
Does any1 knoow which bit i mean?

well its seized up really bad so i need a new one, has any1 got a idea where to get one from and what its called?

thanks

d8mok - 8/6/07 at 07:53 AM

right guys i've taken it too bits, and the problem is obvious. Not sure how to describe it but i'll have a go.

The lever that activates the handbrake that runs through the drum. Its like a L shaped bit of metal. The adjuster for the shoes is on 1 end and a pivot on the other.
Does any1 knoow which bit i mean?

well its seized up really bad so i need a new one, has any1 got a idea where to get one from and what its called?

thanks

d8mok - 8/6/07 at 07:53 AM

right guys i've taken it too bits, and the problem is obvious. Not sure how to describe it but i'll have a go.

The lever that activates the handbrake that runs through the drum. Its like a L shaped bit of metal. The adjuster for the shoes is on 1 end and a pivot on the other.
Does any1 knoow which bit i mean?

well its seized up really bad so i need a new one, has any1 got a idea where to get one from and what its called?

thanks

Peteff - 8/6/07 at 10:17 AM

If it's the curved bit that sticks out of the backplate it's part of the adjuster and will not be available separate. If you have it off stick it in the vice and hammer it or blowlamp it to loosen it off but if you must have a new one they are still available as Capri and a few other cars used them. I can check PCS price tomorrow if you aren't in a hurry.

d8mok - 8/6/07 at 02:08 PM

sorted it. Managed to heat it up and free it off. Thanks for ur help guys.

Coose - 8/6/07 at 03:56 PM

I'm probably too late here as you probably have it back together, but try to smear the adjuster with copper grease before you refit it.