Handbrake NOT working after brake overhaul.

[75driver]

From the underside of the car:
Follow the cables up to the point where they go through a grommet to the inside of the car.
Just in front of that, there is cover/ inspection plate that can be removed to see where the cables ends link to ?the compensator?
Remove the plate to see if they are connected.
It’s definitely not easy to connect them through this access hole, but doable with patience, and some hook type tools to lever the cable ends into position.
Edit: if I recall correctly, the inspection plate is actually a push fit rubber grommet. I’m losing brain cells with age.🙄


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[Arctic]

Originally Posted by macafee2

No offence taken, never thought there was any meant . No need to remove it to get to the handbrake compensator. I find it to be a bit of a faff but they way i said is about the right way to access it. To put your mind at rest,

check out the link below and note the times of the photos, which includes me taking the photos as i do the job.

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...49&postcount=1

I have only ever managed the 15 minutes marks a few times as you will always come across a stuck nut or bolt, or even a swimming pool under the carpet

But yes op needs to check the compensator under the carpet, the rubber grommet method under the car is a complete nightmare.

[Caskin]

Bump me

Originally Posted by Arctic

check out the link below and note the times of the photos, which includes me taking the photos as i do the job.

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...49&postcount=1

I have only ever managed the 15 minutes marks a few times as you will always come across a stuck nut or bolt, or even a swimming pool under the carpet

But yes op needs to check the compensator under the carpet, the rubber grommet method under the car is a complete nightmare.

Thanks Steve for coming to the rescue yet again, your "How to" is excellent, both photos and explanations really simple to follow. Plus I'm really pleased that there is a "back door" in, rather than removing center consol.


As I'm not changing the compensator.....I have already completed actions 1-11,(plus shortened the wifes kitchen broom by 8") am I correct in that I can proceed direct to plate 22-31 (as I am only interested to see if front cable is connected)??? I'm sensing that possibly the black clip is not in place, so that when the cable was under tension it remained in place, but the moment I slacked it off,it literally came adrift???Just cannot think what else it could be.
As you state front cable can be removed at that point 22-31,I assume it can be also be replaced at same point, thereby saving me the trouble of accessing compensator.??

Glad your braking adventure ended up safely and no damage etc!!

[hogweed]

Originally Posted by macafee2

I think Arctic does a handbrake compensator change in 15 minutes.

Now let's not be silly.


He took at least 16½ to do mine in a field somewhere in the West Midlands

[euro44]

I am 75 years old and stiff with arthritis but i was able to follow Artics method last year with only slight swearing ( mostly at the contortions required ) if your compensator is original I bet its stretched and well worth swopping with Artics stainless steel one. took me a couple of hours and I had to drill out the adjuster screw that had been overtightened so had to replace the short cable too. the black clip is fiddly but vital to keep the cables connected.

[75driver]

Originally Posted by Caskin

Bump me


Thanks Steve for coming to the rescue yet again, …..am I correct in that I can proceed direct to plate 22-31 (as I am only interested to see if front cable is connected)??

If you are only interested in checking if the cable is connected, at this stage, I’d remove the rubber grommet underneath the car to have a look.
Much easier if you’ve access to a lift.


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[Caskin]

Originally Posted by 75driver

If you are only interested in checking if the cable is connected, at this stage, I’d remove the rubber grommet underneath the car to have a look.
Much easier if you’ve access to a lift.


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Appreciate your help but no lift and no ability to crawl under car,comes with age!!!!

[Caskin]

Originally Posted by euro44

I am 75 years old and stiff with arthritis but i was able to follow Artics method last year with only slight swearing ( mostly at the contortions required ) if your compensator is original I bet its stretched and well worth swopping with Artics stainless steel one. took me a couple of hours and I had to drill out the adjuster screw that had been overtightened so had to replace the short cable too. the black clip is fiddly but vital to keep the cables connected.

Hi Don't wish to turn this into a medical compo,but Im 83,have had 4 heart ops,now have pacemaker, arthritis that grips like a vice (Going in for leg work soon),meds that make you feel worse than ailment, so crawling around cars as I used to, is now a thing of the past. Don't get me wrong I miss it, IN my younger years I was a Flight Chief on the flight deck with 22 aircraft and 300 plus men not counting aircrew, but that's the past, now with the help of people like Artic I keep my bus rolling, but I think with present fuel costs and my pension, that a V6 is not a good idea so it could be on the market soon. She (the car) had every thing she ever needed and still looks the part, with a documented mileage of just 42000,which in itself speaks for itself as we just don't do what we use to, so fitting parts not required, not on, but fixing annoying little snags like this one will get done.....so any tips as to easiest way to access cable etc??But I am certain Artic has provided all the answers, plus he has himself just suffered a near miss with brake failure, so I appreciate your input, but we all have a tale to tell!!

[Martin Butler]

I recently changed my compensator , and it's not a hard job, the worse bit is getting at it, thats the real pain bit, as you have to do quite a bit of lifting carpets, pulling away the carpet It sounds to me like the black clip is missing, i'm not sure if Rimmers do it or not, but the compensators are prown to stretching, if the drums are set up propperly its the only other thing that it could be, if due to your health issues its beyond you, are there any other members in Plymouth that could help you out?

[Caskin]

Thanks for your reply....At the moment I have no intention in accessing the compensator, as prior to my "interference maintenance" the handbrake worked perfectly, fully holding at 3/4 clicks. It was purely because I had the system stripped down, that on reassembly it made sense to check drum adjustment prior to fitting wheels. Had I left it alone I would now be ready for the road.(I believe its called sods law!)
I did once have some input from a member in Plymouth who came across as a really nice guy, but he never showed, so I left it as I do not like putting folks out.
But no worries Martin I'll get there, like you I'm convinced it must be the black clip but until I follow Artics excellent "how to" I wont know. Weather down here has changed for the worst so it will have to go on hold, but once I figure it out I will post back the results.