Hand Brake Cables who has changed them

Keith · 31st July 2009, 23:08

I am going to change the handbrake cables on my Saloon next month as I am totally fed up with the rubbish operation and the fact that I have now used up all the thread on the adjuster.
Next MOT is due in September so time to do it properly

I am pretty sure the compensator cable is the one that is stretching but have any of you actually compared a new to old set yet to see what is stretching?
I won't be able to do a direct comparison as I will probably buy QH parts from Euro Car Parts and they will probably not be identical.

BigRuss · 1st August 2009, 01:13

I will be very interested in your findings Keith, as my Tourer sounds in a similar situation to yours.

Russ

Departed · 1st August 2009, 07:53

I bought a set of pattern parts. I could only fit the main cables, and not the short one to the compensator. This is because the square part on the threaded adjuster was a hex on the replacement and therfore spun in the handbrake lever. I had to put the old one back.

I tend to agree that the compensator streches, but isn't the tension in all three parts the same? The adjustment was improved a bit but not much. I wonder if in fact it's wear in the operating mechanism (expander) rather than stretch in the cables. I put new shoes and discs on at the same time so only the short cable and the expanders remained.

The worst bit (apart from having to drop the exhauset and heatshields) is that the long cables sieze in the brake backplates. Forget twisting them as Haynes says, you have to remove and drill out.

Keith · 1st August 2009, 11:15

I have had 5 of these cars on and off over the last 4 years
Only the handbrake on my 190 worked properly and felt right all the rest including my long standing saloon have been atrocious the V8 was the worst by far.

My theory is if the shoes are not properly adjusted regularly then the expander is pulled right up against the backplate or its mechanical stop at that point all the mechanical effort from you hauling on the lever is either bending something in the expander or its mounting or stretching the cable or both

Measuring cables new to old will prove part of that idea. I might try and buy new expanders as well.
Thanks for the tip about third party bits I may well drop my old ones off first and take them with me for a direct comparison of the fittings.

Kandyman · 1st August 2009, 12:03

Good luck Keith,

i would be interested in the outcome and i am sure loads of other would be as this is something that has bothered me since i have had my car.

So remember loads of pictures and parts numbers

chris75 · 1st August 2009, 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowedb

I tend to agree that the compensator stretches, but isn't the tension in all three parts the same?

No , it isn't . Assuming the two rears are free , not seized or binding , and correctly adjusted then if they are pulling a load of say X then the common front cable has to pull 2X . Compare with if you had a plank with a bag of cement hanging from each end , and another rope in the middle by which you were lifting the whole thing ; each bag rope would be loaded by 1 bag but the middle rope would be loaded by two bags .
So the front cable could be expected to stretch proportionally more , unless it is a thicker cable to compensate ???

They are all however heavy cables and I wouldn't expect them to stretch significantly, so I go with the expander mechanism wearing !
Will be very interesting to hear any reports .

Ragman · 1st August 2009, 19:37

As soon as Xpart get around to making some more cables for the V8 I'll be changing mine - managed to get an MOT with virtually no handbrake but wont get away with it again next year

billnick · 1st August 2009, 19:57

Keith, did you see this suggestion by mac_rouser, he used a nut as a spacer.
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...=handbrake+nut

regards bill.

Ragman · 1st August 2009, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by billnick

Keith, did you see this suggestion by mac_rouser, he used a nut as a spacer.
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...=handbrake+nut

regards bill.

I tried a similar approach on mine the other weekend (before the MOT) but the previous owner had screwed the adjuster nut so far down the cable had stretched so far that even 25mm of washers behind the nut made no difference - the whole handbrake is poorly designed and usually badly maintained

Keith · 1st August 2009, 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by billnick

Keith, did you see this suggestion by mac_rouser, he used a nut as a spacer.
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...=handbrake+nut

regards bill.

Yes I did that about two years ago not to avoid running out of thread but simply so my socket stayed on the nut for adjustment. however I have messed about with so many cars where the entire thread is used up I went out and bought I long socket anyway

I think even if the expander was bending it would not account for having to adjust out so much extra travel. It is a crappy design and a weird problem
My mates Peugeot 405 is worse though!

It is one of those things that owners look at in disbelief, how could a skilled engineering department get something relatively simple so wrong!

31st July 2009, 23:08	#1
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Hand Brake Cables who has changed them I am going to change the handbrake cables on my Saloon next month as I am totally fed up with the rubbish operation and the fact that I have now used up all the thread on the adjuster. Next MOT is due in September so time to do it properly I am pretty sure the compensator cable is the one that is stretching but have any of you actually compared a new to old set yet to see what is stretching? I won't be able to do a direct comparison as I will probably buy QH parts from Euro Car Parts and they will probably not be identical.

1st August 2009, 01:13	#2
BigRuss Premium Trader 75 CDT Tourer,2.5 Launch Saloon, Omipro MG/Rover (T4) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Liversedge, West Yorkshire Posts: 5,408 Thanks: 1,105 Thanked 1,340 Times in 661 Posts	I will be very interested in your findings Keith, as my Tourer sounds in a similar situation to yours. Russ __________________ Replacement Key Service http://https://the75andztclub.co.uk/...d.php?t=244732 Full T4 Testbook diagnostics available. Diesel ECU repair and replacement. Options enabled or disabled as required. Diesel X-Power 135 and 160bhp, Rover 1.8T 150 to 160 MG 160 V6 to 177 upgrades available P.M. for details.

1st August 2009, 19:37	#7
Ragman This is my second home ZT 260 SE Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ashington, West Sussex Posts: 3,512 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	As soon as Xpart get around to making some more cables for the V8 I'll be changing mine - managed to get an MOT with virtually no handbrake but wont get away with it again next year __________________ I've learned that no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with. Last edited by Ragman; 1st August 2009 at 20:00..

1st August 2009, 07:53	#3
Departed Retired -- Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: -- Posts: 3,785 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	I bought a set of pattern parts. I could only fit the main cables, and not the short one to the compensator. This is because the square part on the threaded adjuster was a hex on the replacement and therfore spun in the handbrake lever. I had to put the old one back. I tend to agree that the compensator streches, but isn't the tension in all three parts the same? The adjustment was improved a bit but not much. I wonder if in fact it's wear in the operating mechanism (expander) rather than stretch in the cables. I put new shoes and discs on at the same time so only the short cable and the expanders remained. The worst bit (apart from having to drop the exhauset and heatshields) is that the long cables sieze in the brake backplates. Forget twisting them as Haynes says, you have to remove and drill out.

1st August 2009, 11:15	#4
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	I have had 5 of these cars on and off over the last 4 years Only the handbrake on my 190 worked properly and felt right all the rest including my long standing saloon have been atrocious the V8 was the worst by far. My theory is if the shoes are not properly adjusted regularly then the expander is pulled right up against the backplate or its mechanical stop at that point all the mechanical effort from you hauling on the lever is either bending something in the expander or its mounting or stretching the cable or both Measuring cables new to old will prove part of that idea. I might try and buy new expanders as well. Thanks for the tip about third party bits I may well drop my old ones off first and take them with me for a direct comparison of the fittings.

1st August 2009, 12:03	#5
Kandyman Banned ROVER 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Limousine 2004 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Welling Posts: 10,995 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Good luck Keith, i would be interested in the outcome and i am sure loads of other would be as this is something that has bothered me since i have had my car. So remember loads of pictures and parts numbers

1st August 2009, 19:57	#8
billnick Loves to post ex 75 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Abergele Posts: 445 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Keith, did you see this suggestion by mac_rouser, he used a nut as a spacer. http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...=handbrake+nut regards bill.