10 replies to this topic

[coopedup1980]

okay.

I haven't used my mini since the middle of last week. I went to reverse off the drive today but the handbrake is stuck on...even after releasing the handbrake.

Not knowing how the mechanism works what should I be checking? some threads suggest checking the handbrake levers in the brake drums for any freezing. Does that mean they are only on the rear?


I've tried driving and reversing to see if it'll release what evers stuck but it just jacks up like its on the handbrake still.

Any help appreciated.


Neil

[Bungle]

yes the hand brake works on just the rear 2 wheels

if you look under the mini you will see a wire coming out of the back of each drum and joining into 1 just before the hand brake

check this wire is free and the pivot pints moving

if it's not that the shoes are stuck in the drum

[coopedup1980]

Great. WIl check that out. When it stops raining.

What can I do to help prevent this? If its the pivots points can I just grease them? WHat can I do to the shoes, can't use grease there???


TMF....P.B.B


"Powered By Bungle"

[Bungle]

yes grease the cable and pivot points

if your drive is flat leave the car with the hand brake off but in gear

[coopedup1980]

Okay. Rain stopped so I checked this over. I jackd the back up and oinly the drivers rear side is stuck.

The handbrake cable is free and even more greased now. THe next problem I've had is that I can't get the brake drum off. Haynes says loosen the brake pad adjuster but I can't get this moving (square bolt on rear). How can I get the drum off with the brakes on?


Please help. Need the car for a customer site visit tomorrow (don't fancy riding there in a suit).

[minimender]

Could try tapping the lever backwards to see if it will come off.

Adjuster may need heat and persuesion and time to free off.

Wheel off and tap the drum all around to try and shock it free but be carefull as the cast drum may break if hit too hard

worst that can happen is buy new drum and smash the old one off, (done it a few times)

Edited by minimender, 24 August 2011 - 07:21 PM.

[bmcecosse]

As above - hammer the lever where it enters the drum. Also douse the adjuster in release oil (so not WD40) - and plan to do a proper overhaul asap.

[coopedup1980]

Had a near disaster.

Took the rear wheel off to have another go at this problem. Blow torch and hammer in hand. WIth the mini in the air I had a brain wave..how will i known if its sorted with the handbrake on. Decided to take the handbrake of...min rolled about 3cm which was enough to rock my car of the jack. Thankfully, because it was a screw style jack it just rocked over but held the mini up (just). Had to let the air out of the tyre and force up the suspension to get the wheel on.

Haven't got the guts to try again till I get some axle stands.

[coopedup1980]

oh. Was a serious qustion too. What size brake spanner do I need for the square adjuster bolt? Will Halfrauds do these?

Edited by coopedup1980, 25 August 2011 - 05:52 PM.

[asahartz]

It's a 5/16 square wrench. Don't be tempted to use an open-ended spanner, you'll round off the adjusters then you'll need a new backplate!

Strangely enough Halfords don't seem to stock these any more, though they used to. You want something like this - although you should be able to walk into your local independent car accessory shop and buy one.

[minimender]

I use Vice Grips / Mole Grips the ones with the straight flat jaws not the cheapo ones.

First give the adjuster a good whack with a big hammer to shock it

With a pair if mole grips clamped tight on the adjuster heat up the area around the adjuster.

Dont try and unscrew it, try adjusting it up a little first.

It should move a little, then back a little then up a little , going a bit further each time

The threads inside the drum sometimes rust and wont screw out so go in a bit first.

Once you have it moving back and too a bit you can get some WD40 (similar products are available) and free it off

Wind it out a bit and then get some lube on the exposed threads then wind it in and then out again to free it off.

You will find that a brake spanner will just round the adjuster off if it has siezed

You could hammer a small socket tight on it but could split the socket.



You can replace the adjuster, it winds right into the drum to get it off

Edited by minimender, 26 August 2011 - 08:06 PM.