handbrake cable adjustment

2

2453kevinowen

Member
Can I adjust the handbrake on my 73 2000tc it has girling calipers
I cant see any adjustment on the cable
It holds only when the handbrake lever is pulled quite high about 3/4
New pads where fitted about 6 months ago
I would be happy with it, but it is going for its mot :?:
 
There should be an adjuster about 1/2 way down the transmission tunnel (underneath :( ), although this doesn't always need to be altered if the rear brakes are set up OK, especially the handbrake "quadrants".
 
Once the cable has been set up at time of fitting, you shouldn't have to ever adjust it again. The self adjusters in the rear calipers are meant to do the necessary. I suggest you jack the back wheels clear of the ground and check that you have the same resistance to movement in both wheels with the handbrake on. If all is well, then get someone to press lighly on the brake pedal and check that the same is true for the footbrake. If either of these tests fail, then the solution is a caliper rebuild.

It is important that there is no tension on the handbrake cable when the handbrake is off - otherwise the caliper self adjusters are prevented from working. Subject to this, if you have passed the first two tests and still want the handbrake to operate a little earlier, you can adjust the cable slightly to take out any strecth that has occured over the years. As a general comment the P6 handbrake does normally move more than a comparable modern car, but the actual braking effort then available is very good.

Chris
 
Plenty of 'modern' MOT testers will think a P6 handbrake a fail on travel, when they are set up perfick :wink:
 
GrimV8 said:
Plenty of 'modern' MOT testers will think a P6 handbrake a fail on travel, when they are set up perfick :wink:
Click to expand...


The problem with most disc brake set-ups is because of the leverages involved you can still pull the lever upwards well past the point where adequate efficiency levels have been obtained, but all that is actually happening is everything underneath is just bending and buckling with out any further improvement in efficiency. Then the tester comes back and tells you the efficiency was OK, but there's no reserve travel. Best plan of action then is to find another tester.....
 
Agreed 8)
I've had customers come in for brake work and found nothing to do, so took it to my MOT man and passed no problem :)
 
Thanks Dave,
When I picked the car up they asked if the mileage was correct, I said that I did not have any history or old mot's to back it up,they said by the condition of the car and the way it drives they reckons its right. :D
The mileage is 24,796
 
That's pretty close to my car. The mileage on mine reads 23068 :wink: ....but you can put a 1 in front of that :D

Dave
 
Good news, it's always a nervy time at the mot station, even if you know the car is right. I also was concerned about handbrake travel and its lack of feel for when fully on., but it works so that's the main thing.
 
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