Handbrake Cable Adjuster Fail

[ukkid35]

I'm pretty certain the white nylon adjuster has failed, it seems to be slipping when significant force is used - as you would use during an MOT

I've checked the handbrake shoe adjusters and all is well, so I can't see that anything else could be happening

Any thoughts?

Edited by ukkid35 on Wednesday 24th June 10:10

[billybradshaw]

I thought mine had given up but as you say it appears that the nylon adjuster is the problem. I’ve simply used a small jubilee clip to prevent it from moving again. Seems to be common practice that and making sure everything is properly adjusted.

[ukkid35]

billybradshaw said:

I thought mine had given up but as you say it appears that the nylon adjuster is the problem. I’ve simply used a small jubilee clip to prevent it from moving again. Seems to be common practice that and making sure everything is properly adjusted.

Thanks - that was my plan, but I wasn't sure how secure that would be

It's so annoying because I've only just put the prop shaft and exhaust back on

[billybradshaw]

I can’t personally vouch for its effectiveness I’m afraid as my car isn’t up and running.

It does seem to be common practice though so presumably it does the job.

[TwinKam]

It was a very common 'fix' on Fords during the 80s & 90s.
Some folks didn't realise the importance of releasing the smaller locking ring before moving the main adjuster, and this was to blame for the weakening/ stripping of the plastic thread inside same.

[ukkid35]

A few years ago the throttle cable failed on a narrow country road 100 miles from home

I decided to try to fix it rather than wait for recovery as my gf was with me so she could protect me from traffic (to some degree at least)

The cable had failed at the pedal end, so I tied a knot in the cable there, which left it too short in the engine bay

So I used cable ties to secure the cable outer in the required position

Perhaps I could do something similar with hose clamps so the handbrake cable outer couldn't move through the nylon adjuster

[PhilF329]

Or you could use a wire rope clamp in the right size - a few quid from Tool Station or RS and you can remove / adjust it more easily. Not sure about the size, but like this: https://www.toolstation.com/wire-rope-clamp/p63506

[ukkid35]

PhilF329 said:

Or you could use a wire rope clamp in the right size - a few quid from Tool Station or RS and you can remove / adjust it more easily. Not sure about the size, but like this: https://www.toolstation.com/wire-rope-clamp/p63506

Thanks, much appreciated

[ukkid35]

PhilF329 said:

Or you could use a wire rope clamp in the right size - a few quid from Tool Station or RS and you can remove / adjust it more easily. Not sure about the size, but like this: https://www.toolstation.com/wire-rope-clamp/p63506

One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received

I would never have thought of using these, even though I see them holding safety cables together on walks all the time

I have tested the handbrake with two hands and it now holds firm

[billybradshaw]

Bloody ‘ell you must be giving it a right good yank if you need to use two of them

[PhilF329]

HTH!

What size was it that fitted?

Cheers

[Byker28i]

I have the best working handbrake ever on my car now, but St8Six had to dismantle and rebuild it all as it had been reassembled wrongly when I had the body off refurb, and a missing brakeshoe, and wire locking cable used to wire the cable to the Y-junction to stop it slipping off because it was assembled wrong. Completely bodged in fact. I'd had years of being told 'oh they're all marginal like that', now it works like a modern car and holds...

[ukkid35]

PhilF329 said:

HTH!

What size was it that fitted?

Cheers

I used 10mm, as that was the cable sheath diameter, but 8mm might work as well

I have 8 of them left, as them came in a bag of 10 for £2.50

[Stunned Monkey]

I had the same - brand new cable and it's quite possible to overcome the adjuster. The thread is a dick-in-a-bucket fit. I slitted a small section of rubber hose, wrapped it round the thread and added a jubbly to support the adjuster

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