Handbrake adjuster
Discussion
More help please:
I am trying to adjust the handbrake strength. I have jacked up the back, got underneath and found where the cable is fed, via a bracket attached to the frame in the transmission tunnel, through to a cable.
The bracket holds a plastic retainer which allows the cable to run through and a what I think is a rubber washer infront. I am assuming this is the handbrake adjuster that Steve Heath refers to, but cant fathom out how it works because the plastic retainer does not twist nor can I see how it would tighten the cable.
Please can someone help, I am on the boat to Le Mans tomorrow and dont want the car to be moving around below deck!
I am trying to adjust the handbrake strength. I have jacked up the back, got underneath and found where the cable is fed, via a bracket attached to the frame in the transmission tunnel, through to a cable.
The bracket holds a plastic retainer which allows the cable to run through and a what I think is a rubber washer infront. I am assuming this is the handbrake adjuster that Steve Heath refers to, but cant fathom out how it works because the plastic retainer does not twist nor can I see how it would tighten the cable.
Please can someone help, I am on the boat to Le Mans tomorrow and dont want the car to be moving around below deck!
You have found the handbrake cable adjuster, which normally should be left well alone and if set wrong can prevent the main adjuster from working. It is only there to compensate for stretch in the cable.
The main adjuster is built into the rear calipers and is automatic. It can stop working if the caliper gets clogged up with brake dust, or the cable adjuster is done up so tight there isn't enough travel for it to work. You should have at least four clicks worth of slack on the handle. If it has less slack than this, the main adjuster may not work. If you keep tightening up the cable adjuster to compensate for pad wear, eventually the handbrake mechanism will run out of travel and you will get less and less handbrake effect, eventually it will stop working altogether!
If you're worried about the car shifting, pull the handbrake on firmly with both hands while applying the footbrake firmly with the engine running, and leave the car in gear. Don't forget to take it out of gear before you start it though, especially if you're packed into a confined space!
(This top tip Copyright (c) Joospeed circa 1996!)
The main adjuster is built into the rear calipers and is automatic. It can stop working if the caliper gets clogged up with brake dust, or the cable adjuster is done up so tight there isn't enough travel for it to work. You should have at least four clicks worth of slack on the handle. If it has less slack than this, the main adjuster may not work. If you keep tightening up the cable adjuster to compensate for pad wear, eventually the handbrake mechanism will run out of travel and you will get less and less handbrake effect, eventually it will stop working altogether!
If you're worried about the car shifting, pull the handbrake on firmly with both hands while applying the footbrake firmly with the engine running, and leave the car in gear. Don't forget to take it out of gear before you start it though, especially if you're packed into a confined space!
(This top tip Copyright (c) Joospeed circa 1996!)
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