Handbrake adjustment at the calliper

15th May 2013, 15:49

Going for the MOT next week and I know one side's handbrake doesn't work. So got a new cable for it and went to fit but turns out the cable is fine.

Long story short, the piece that the cable pushes fully rotates but it doesn't make contact and won't push the pads so the handbrake does naff all on one side.

I'm guessing its a ratchet system but how do you bring it further out so it touches?

Also, I took the other side out to have a look and now struggling to get it back in, so how would I release the ratchet (presuming there is one) to get the bar back in? Had a brainwave while typing though, if I remove one of the pads it should give more room. If it doesn't how do I get it back in?

Ta like

15th May 2013, 18:05

Well taking the pads out didn't help, it literally won't go back. Tried to get the calliper off to have a better look and firstly the bleed screw has been replaced with a regular bolt and secondly the calliper bolts are ridiculous. Firstly they are stupidly tight but to be expected but secondly they are between 18mm and 19mm so I can't get them undone!

Starting to flip out cos I don't have a handbrake and I live on a hill...

15th May 2013, 18:26

Get a breaker bar on the caliper bolts or a windy gun? Sounds to me like someone's seriously bodged it - a second hand one would be a good investment

15th May 2013, 18:32

I usually use a scaffolding pole like when I did the driveshafts. Problem is they aren't quite 19mm so round off.

15th May 2013, 18:33

Using a 6 side socket?

15th May 2013, 18:41

Used a 6 side spanner and it wobbles but it ended up getting twisted and bent by the bar. Can't find a 19mm socket as the garage is the worst mess its ever been as I've had exams and coursework to hand it and its got silly. Tried different 19/18mm spanners and they are just too much either way.

15th May 2013, 21:34

Anybody had this before? Anyone stripped the callipers and seen whats involved in this mechanism? Or how you adjust it in/out?

15th May 2013, 21:42

they wind in, and you pump them out with the pedal, they self adjust.

pads have to be in correctly of course.

15th May 2013, 21:44

I know the actual pistons do that operate the pads. Is this the same with this little silver piston? If it isn't coming out properly, or push in properly, how do I get to them properly to un seize them?

15th May 2013, 22:28

Anyone know the exact size of the calliper bolts? Gonna buy a six sided socket tomorrow, save fucking about. Gonna strip the callipers and have a look seeing nobody knows

15th May 2013, 22:38

The ones that hold it onto the beam? if so - 19mm. I remember because my 19mm is cracked. also the same one for my wheel bolts.

16th May 2013, 20:52

on these pads you have a little lug that must locate into the indent on the piston.
if this isn't located properly then the handbrake won't work.

but it sounds like it's your caliper is fubar. cheaper and easier to just replace it.
i'd also replace the bolts as they sound like they are fubar also.

16th May 2013, 21:14

Managed to get the brake callipers off, bought a 19mm 6 sided socket, all £5.90 of it!! Crime

Got the offside handbrake thing working, not properly, had to remove the bushes. It literally can't be adjusted. Presuming you have to strip the callipers. Tried to take the brake line off the drivers side, cannot undo the nut, just rounding, even just chewing up using mole grips, dunno what I'm gonna do...

16th May 2013, 21:22

Using a brake union spanner? Pretty much like mine were then, brake lines painted over and seized in. I ended up renewing all the brake lines as I had to cut them off and get a socket on them

16th May 2013, 21:25

Well fuck, that might have saved me. Never heard of a brake union spanner before, come from bikes, first car and all that. Is the brake line one long length or is there connectors in between? If so, I'll just hack it and replace it. This is obviously gonna get pulled in the mot so gonna have to get it sorted