Possible Cure for Dodgy Handbrake..
 

Now hand brake... I had followed the guide for adjustment but still handbrake failed mot but i think i found the reason... please read on...:D

What a kerfuffle that was, i know it says take seats out to remove centre console but i did it without.

However i have had seats out before to replace the seats and console, and its easy. I would if i was you especially to make it easier to get the carpet back to unscrew the lower hand brake securing bolt...

So console out and cut along the carpet behind the handbrake to get into the centre cable connector to release the clip and remove the handbrake.
Not yet cut in the below picture but cut between the back of the handbrake and the open piece that shows the centre console rear securing bolt holes.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...5handbrake.jpg

Now the handbrake is out i measured the new cable and the old... Old on the left side..

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...bleoldleft.jpg

Exactly the same length apart from the base of the shoulder been shorter on the new one but makes no difference as both the thread and overall length the same... so no stretch as others have said..

However the new handbrake came with the securing plate that connects to the rear handbrake cables and my old one looked longer in situ.

Now no matter how hard i tried to uncouple the rear cables it was apparent i would need to remove the rear seat the c pillar trims or whatever in order to lift the carpet to get to the bolts that secured the steel plate over the bracket. This is the bracket that the rear of the centre console fastens to.

So carpet lifted and plate removed...

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...dercarpets.jpg

Now easy to unfasten and remove ready for the new one...
This is where it gets interesting... the general consensus is the cables dont stretch, well the connecting plate for the centre cable to rear cables appears too....

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...ableclamps.jpg

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...cableclamp.jpg

The easy route of just winding in the adjuster below the handbrake has lifted the curved metal and so as it lifts the centre cable just gets slacker.

Replaced with the new and all re attached...

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...rakefitted.jpg

Handbrake centre cable adjusted to 25mm...

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...dbrake25mm.jpg

Now put on 2 clicks and adjusted on the rear wheel adjusters through a wheel bolt hole... After some faffing with how much wind on and grip whether on 1 click or 2 clicks... I wanted to make sure my wheels turned with no drag when handbrake off.

So settled on been able to move the drum and disc with firm pressure on 2 clicks.

This resulted with a solid brake at 4 clicks. Just adjust to what you feel is good for you.

So in conclusion for me when i had the hand brake on 2 clicks and fully tightened up on the drums my car failed the mot.

I replaced the whole handbrake unit not knowing if any centre cable stretch etc and the cable was not in stock.
However on replacement the cable was fine... but the actual coupling for the centre cable to the rear cables could have been longer of old but to my eyes it has been distorted by over zealous handbrake adjustment resulting in some 15mm extra length over the new replacement.

So worth consideration if you are having the handbrake woes even after following the great guide on here.

Hope i have helped...:}

An excellent investigation James. Perhaps you have solved the long standing problems with handbrake adjustment. :clap:

Simon.

Yes Well Done James!!:bowdown:

I think we have the answer to the "too long inner cables" issue right here!!

I have posted on your other thread about a suggested repair/cure perhaps you or others could let me have your thoughts as I at least will be needing to sort this prior to the next MOT!!:D

Many thanks!!

Andy

It might well be the cause, but what do we do about it?

What a stupid set up! does anyone have a part number for the new part?. Would it be possible to bend the top half of the bar down and weld it to the lower part, this would stop it being able to be pulled round.

I was looking to replace the centre cable but was out of stock and others say this part is out of stock... however i got the whole handbrake unit so had the lot on...:D

Just ordered, many thanks. £15:86 delivered, ouch, still if it solves the H/B problem a lot of us have :)

we shall see....

Was £10 delivery on the handbrake...and that was at the price it has been for a good while of £25.

Well i said i had adjusted the handbrake at the wheels for some drag at two notches on the handbrake but once the wheels were on it moves more easily.

On the way for the test i was on a steep hill and had to pull up the hand brake more... went in and luckily the MOT bloke is a fellow biker and good bloke told me hand brake was up from the previouse 9% to 50% but not good enough but told me to go back and adjust them, this time i did them tighter at the two clicks on the handbrake and when handbrake off they spun freely still.

Went back and was fine i didnt do the 3 clicks i simply yanked it on and some testers test themselves and some let you apply it, i think i was at 4 clicks 5 max i know they were solid by hand on 3 clicks with the wheels off.
4 clicks solid by hand with the wheels on.

So dont know if there are still some issues this time it has to be the rear cables if anything.
Talking to the mechanic he says all cables eventually stretch he still even gets them coming in with knots tied in them.

But mine is working fine now...:D

I think you are falling into the trap of still leaving too much play. All you need is the shoes barely clearing the drum, or just barely touching, so it is already being applied at the first click. Two should hold it on most slopes and at three the tyres will leave rubber on the road if you tried to drag it.

The higher the point at which the handbraks starts to work, the less effective it is simply because the amount of leverage your arm can produce falls dramatically as the angle worsens.

If you can easily push the car on a smooth flat surface with the handbrake in the off position, it is not dragging. I'll bet you can still push yours at two clicks?

Get it set so it is fully applied at three clicks and the handbrake is brilliant, as good as they get.