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12th February 2018, 22:00 | #1 |
I really should get out more.......
Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010
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Handbrake bad design?
My discs and pads were all paper thin, so I got the lot replaced. The handbrake had always been ineffective, so I got new shoes fitted too – backplates etc all pronounced good by the mechanic, who is a Rover specialist, and knows these cars inside out. Saint Arctic also fitted one of the better compensators some time ago, so that’s OK too.
The brake lever now has a travel of maybe 3 notches, a LOT less than before – but the handbrake is still {naughty word}. I was thinking about this, then suddenly remembered that my last two cars (E36 M3’s) had exactly the same problem – I’d forgotten, as I’ve had the Rover7-8 years now. Are my suspicions correct, that the handbrake design is essentially similar on both cars, and also essentially cr*p?
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Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes. |
13th February 2018, 09:53 | #2 |
Loves to post
Rover 75 CDTi Tourer Connoisseur SE Auto, Also fully restored Mk 2 1966 MG Midget Join Date: Apr 2007
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It's not cr*p as you put it.
All the poor handbrake problems were due to the badly designed compensator, with the "U" link that opened up because of being welded on one side only, with hard lever application. I used a very small shackle from RS Components that cured the problem, without the need for welding. Arctic's solution cured all that straight away after lots of owners had paid a small fortune to the parts people for new cables and shoes which were totally unnecessary. I still have the new cables I purchased about 7 years ago up in their box, in my loft. With the handbrake correctly adjusted, both on the shoe adjusters and the handbrake cable correctly set, some owners have removed the "slack" to one notch. You can't get it better that. |
13th February 2018, 10:00 | #3 |
This is my second home
Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006
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A perfectly set up handbrake system, using all the recommended parts, will still exhibit the locked wheel slop that's regularly mentioned on the forums. Though raised frequently over the years, no convincing explanation of why it behaves thus has been proposed. Less so, how it could be fixed. IMO, it can't be fixed because of an inherent design flaw that resides within the drum.
TC |
13th February 2018, 10:41 | #4 | |
Posted a thing or two
Rover 75 CDTi Classic saloon, MGB GT, Skoda Yeti Join Date: Aug 2008
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Quote:
Pete |
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13th February 2018, 10:57 | #5 |
I really should get out more.......
Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010
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Ah, wheel slop… never heard that one before. But that’s one of the problems, yes. Put handbrake on, release footbrake, car moves a little then (just about) stops.
The other problem is that it doesn't actually hold the car on a hill. I mean, maybe if I wrenched the handle up another couple of notches it might, but other cars I drive (like my parents’ Siesta) hold completely on 1-2 notches, with little pull needed on the handle
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Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes. |
13th February 2018, 11:05 | #6 | |
Posted a thing or two
Rover 75 CDTi Classic saloon, MGB GT, Skoda Yeti Join Date: Aug 2008
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Pete |
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13th February 2018, 18:01 | #7 | |
This is my second home
75 Contemporary SE Mk II 2004 Man. Sal. CDTi 135ps, FBH on red diesel, WinCE6 DD Join Date: May 2010
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Quote:
Properly set up, with a modified compensator, decent shoes and drum - the handbrake is as good as any. Unlike many cars, the 75 uses a completely separate handbrake system from what ever the hydraulic system uses for its brakes - be they pads or shoes, the result is the shoes and drums get little use in braking the car to a stop - and there lies the fix... Make a point of giving it some work to do. Where you can safely do it, apply the handbrake as you come to a stop - the final yard or two will do it, just to keep the drums free of rust and dirt. My handbrake was rubbish when I got the car and nothing annoys me more than a less than perfect handbrake. Within weeks it was perfect, once I had worked out that one of the issues was the compensator, designed a fix and has stayed that way ever since, by simply using it. The unofficial Rover fix, was to drive the car with handbrake lightly applied, around a car park to clean the accumulated rust and dirt off the drums. Take a look at my How To link below.
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Harry How To's and items I offer for free, or just to cover the cost of my expenses... http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...40#post1764540 Fix a poor handbrake; DIY ABS diagnostic unit; Loan of the spanner needed to change the CDT belts; free OBD diagnostics +MAF; Correct Bosch MAF cheap; DVB-T install in an ex-hi-line system; DD install with a HK amp; FBH servicing. I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money. |
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13th February 2018, 13:03 | #8 | |
Gets stuck in
None at the moment Join Date: Jan 2018
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Quote:
Last edited by RoverP480; 13th February 2018 at 13:06.. |
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13th February 2018, 13:13 | #9 | |
I really should get out more.......
Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010
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Ummm… patience…? I’m going to have to look that word up, as I don’t know it – is it French or something?
Quote:
Yeah I’ve always had to leave it in 1st. OK, I’ll persevere with impersonating an old woman driving along with a trail of smoke from the handbrake she forgot to take off two towns ago… Of course, that makes perfect sense. I was a biker back in the 70’s, and the difference between SLS and TLS front brakes was dramatic, so I thought why the hell don’t they do this on our handbrakes… but then of course bikes didn’t have to brake backwards
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Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes. |
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13th February 2018, 13:49 | #10 |
This is my second home
Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012
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was it Renault Lagunas that used to role down hills even with handbrake on?
I think it was caused by the discs cooling and shrinking so the pads did not grip. The recall advert, Even when its standing still it's on the move or something very similar macafee2 |
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