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Handbrake Tightening
Posted: 19/05/14 16:48
by Bezly
Hi,
my MOT is not until October, however I thought I would start to work on the advisories now; being that the handbrake does not really work.
It starts to let go on a slight incline, and again more likely to slip when the front is facing downhill.
The lever comes up all the way and feels like it would come some more if it could.
As for the fixing of it, is it possible to do with the car on axle stands? Or should I get it done at the garage?
And if it is possible, how do I go about it?
Many thanks
Bezly
Handbrake Tightening
Posted: 19/05/14 18:16
by stuMR2lee
You need to check that the handbrake arm on the calipers freely move. You should be able to move them by hand to work the brakes.
If that's ok check the condition of the cables.
If they're ok then you need to remove the centre undertray to adjust the cables. What works for me is to put a 1mm feeler gauge between the handbrake caliper arms and the stop pins (one each side). I then adjust the handbrake until the feeler gauges fall out. I then get freely moving wheels but handbrake on after about 4 clicks.
I have done this before with axle stands.
Re: Handbrake Tightening
Posted: 19/05/14 19:42
by Gaz!
If all the mechanism works as it should then the cables may have stretched. Adjust in the centre.
Sent from my boot to your "censored".
Re: Handbrake Tightening
Posted: 20/05/14 9:26
by chris
when I took my car to get it's MOT last week I was shocked to find that the MOT tester had adjusted the handbrake cable for me, for free, and didn't even mention that he'd done it...
so it can't have been that hard a job, I guess you just need to jack the car up and get underneath and all will become clear
Handbrake Tightening
Posted: 20/05/14 9:47
by stuMR2lee
Adjusting the handbrake is the easy part with a 12mm spanner once the undertray is out the way. There's even a powerpoint presentation on it somewhere (KY2?).
The only caveat being that all the components are functioning as they should. No amount of adjusting will help if the cables and/or caliper actuators are seized or not working correctly. Seen it on quite a few 2's. Easy enough to check first though.
The OP hasn't said what condition his cables/calipers are in so just covering all bases at the moment:). Hopefully a simple adjustment is all that's needed.
If he wants a trip to Colchester I'd look at the brakes for him over my inspection pit.
Re: Handbrake Tightening
Posted: 20/05/14 11:08
by abovetherim
As the handbrake is so out of adjustment I wonder whether it has had new pads on the rear and the calipers haven't been set right? check out the ky2 for the correct procedure (maybe in the mk1 section as the rears are essentially the same.
Re: Handbrake Tightening
Posted: 20/05/14 11:20
by stuMR2lee
Good point. Especially if someone not familiar with these brakes did the job.
Re: Handbrake Tightening
Posted: 20/05/14 12:06
by MR2DI4
Basically the cable never needs adjusting. The calipers are self adjusting and if things are going astray in this area the calipers need a rebuild and the two cables to the calipers are stuffed and ceasing. If the handbrake feels loose thats because the cables are ceased and are not releasing and your driving around with the rear brakes on. Easy to tell just try pushing the car on a flat surface or feel the rotors after a short drive after not using the brakes at all or jack and try and spin the wheels.
Re: Handbrake Tightening
Posted: 20/05/14 19:44
by Bezly
Cheers for the feedback guys.
I really don't think they are sticking as it's not like they are not releasing, just not gripping hard enough. You could probably push it when then handbrake is on at full tilt though.
Stu, I may take you up on that offer as I'm in Norwich and often drive to London to see my better half; will PM you.
Cheers
Re: Handbrake Tightening
Posted: 20/05/14 19:55
by stuMR2lee
No problem. Be happy to help:).
Re: Handbrake Tightening
Posted: 11/07/20 13:40
by L33SH
stuMR2lee wrote: ↑20/05/14 9:47
Adjusting the handbrake is the easy part with a 12mm spanner once the undertray is out the way. There's even a powerpoint presentation on it somewhere (KY2?).
The only caveat being that all the components are functioning as they should. No amount of adjusting will help if the cables and/or caliper actuators are seized or not working correctly. Seen it on quite a few 2's. Easy enough to check first though.
The OP hasn't said what condition his cables/calipers are in so just covering all bases at the moment:). Hopefully a simple adjustment is all that's needed.
If he wants a trip to Colchester I'd look at the brakes for him over my inspection pit.
Hi Stu, i am also based in and around Colchester! What colour 2 do you have as i have only seen a few passing in and around town!
Re: Handbrake Tightening
Posted: 11/07/20 13:54
by stuMR2lee
Hi, not had a 2 since our MK3 got written off last December. Got a Lexus SC430 at the moment which belonged to my late wife
