11 replies to this topic

[Dusky]

Hi all!

 

Went to mot.. Only problem is a bad handbrake

 

So : how the hell do I adjust it? I thought I adjusted it ( at the hanbrake itself) but clearly it wasn't tight enough..

Any ways I can make it tighter?

 

Cheers

[Fossy313]

U need to adjust the rear brake adjusters, and it may not be the handbrake itself jack it up and make sure the linkages underneath are not seized.... Other than that it's a new handbrake cable.

Edited by Fossy313, 08 August 2014 - 10:34 AM.

[Dusky]

U need to adjust the rear brake adjusters, and it may not be the handbrake itself jack it up and make sure the linkages underneath are not seized.... Other than that it's a new handbrake cable.

Probably the cable then I think, because when they tested the 'normal' brakes everyhting was fine... 

[Dan]

Check the linkages are free and not sticky inside the drums, the quadrants move properly, the guides on the subframe in the centre are greased and the cable isn't jamming in the compensator where the front and rear cables meet.

[Fossy313]

Dan has described a more detailed form of what I said, if all that doesn't work the cable has stretched and it's a car of a new one, shouldn't be too hard of a job just need to get the car as high as u can to work under it

[Dusky]

I'll buy a new cable tonight...
And then adjust everything properly etc, so I get a good start..

The mini will be finaly on the road then after more than a year of work in it :)

The only other remark is that there is play in the balljoints ( although I fitted new ones) But they basically just need to be tightened up.. :)

Edited by Dusky, 08 August 2014 - 11:36 AM.

[GraemeC]

The handbrake should be adjusted at the drums - not at the lever.

 

Slacken the nuts at the lever off.

Adjust the brake shoes on the drums until the wheel will spin freely for about 1 full revolution

Now re-tighten the nuts at the lever to set the lever travel (approx 4-5 clicks for full handbrake engagement)

 

I always give some good tugs on the handbrake cable where it runs down the radius are whilst adjust the shoes, it helps centre them and also ensures everything is free.

[Fossy313]

dusky if the balljoints need re shimming re shim then, but only if they are new, at the price of balljoints as well just replace them and get a shim pack too, unless they are new then take them off and shim them now.

[Dusky]

dusky if the balljoints need re shimming re shim then, but only if they are new, at the price of balljoints as well just replace them and get a shim pack too, unless they are new then take them off and shim them now.

They are almost new ( drove like 30 miles with them maybe?)

But mot tester said it were the nuts that aren't tight enough... Don't think I shimed them wrong

[Cooperman]

It will not be loose ball-joint nuts. The threads are taper locked and the nuts just pull the taper in fully. If the taper was not in tightly because the nuts were loose it would be very obvious with very slack suspension. If there is play it will be shimming not correct or new ball joints needed.

It would seem that the tester knows nothing about Mini suspension.

[Dusky]

Its belgium so they dont really know minis... Will have a look tomorrow :)

[Dusky]

Dont think ill need new joints though.. They are 30 miles old.. + iets only 1 balling (topright) that has play