14 replies to this topic

[Lenhamracer]

Hi

I have a problem with the handbrake. It is not working well, I fitted the fly off conversion to the handbrake lever in order to do handbrake turns in tight bends but it is more or less impossible to lock the rear brakes. I fitted new shoes and drums but nothing has changed. Where is he problem?
Any tips?

Thank you very much

Thomas

[cal844]

Is it hydraulic or cable? My cable hand brake needs regular adjustment to keep it at 3 clicks.

[Carlos W]

Ensure the adjuster is freed, then make sure it’s adjusted.

It’s a square stud at the top of the back plate

[Lenhamracer]

Yes adjuster on the drums is free and adjusted, it is cable operated.

[cal844]

The cables are known to stretch

[imack]

Seized quadrants, seized or worn linkages and clevis pins, contaminated shoes, incorrectly adjusted shoes.

[richmondclassicsnorthwales]

Yes, a very well missed area of the handbrake is the quadrant area,  it really does have to be free, the quadrant rusts on the clevis pin.

 

Along with the actual lever mechanism which runs from the protective boot point and then runs inside the rear drum area, these can become seized up (rusted)

 

Make sure the cables run nice and smooth as well on the subframe 

[Orange-Phantom]

The handbrake on Project 45 never really worked properly.  I basically rebuilt the rear brakes, new shoes, cylinders (as they were weeping) etc.  Still no joy.

 

I then checked the rear handbrake quadrants (these were the Kad type).  Guess what....  Mini World put the rear handbrake quandrants on the wrong way round!!!  (Just one of many issues I've had to fix).

 

I couldn't believe that they would get that wrong, saying that nothing would surprise me now!  I've pretty much rebuilt the whole flippin car!!!

 

Any way back on topic, check the quadrants are on the right way round and the quadrants move nice and freely.  

[Lenhamracer]

Ok I will Check the quadrants this evening, but which way round should they be mounted?

[imack]

The hand brake cable nipple isn't in the centre of the quadrant, short side of quadrant towards rear wheel -see picture from haynes manual

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[Lenhamracer]

Just checked the quadrants and yes they are the other way around. Are you sure I have to swap them? I tried to loosen the pin but it seems that it is stuck

[Lenhamracer]

I checked the Haynes manual and from the pictures you are right — hm but is it that important??

[GraemeC]

Yes - if they are the wrong way round you won’t get full movement.
Plus, if the pin is stuck you need to get everything freed off and greased.

[Lenhamracer]

It seems that the pin is stuck but the quadrant is moving easy on he pin.

[Orange-Phantom]

Yes you will have to swap them the correct way round.  The quadrant will hit part of the subframe near the rear suspension knuckle when you pull the handbrake on. This will stop the shoes being pulled onto the drums fully.

 

I found this out myself (as I posted earlier in this thread), sure enough after swapping them round the correct way the handbrake worked properly (which is rather an important thing)!

 

Good luck!