handbrake cable device that takes out the slack!

[Lister John]

Hi does anyone know where I can get a device that takes out any excess slack on a handbrake cable for the MOT please?

My local motor factors dont do them.

Cheers

 

[harveyp6]

If you've set the adjuster on the outer cable correctly then there won't be any slack in the cable, and if the handbrake still doesn't work then the calipers need looking at.

 

[GrimV8]

Do they think it has too much travel? :?
Should be 6 or so clicks which looks like too much if they are used to looking at modern cars
Or as Harvey says, it might need adjusting/setting up right

 

[Lister John]

If you've set the adjuster on the outer cable correctly then there won't be any slack in the cable, and if the handbrake still doesn't work then the calipers need looking at.

Is that the adjuster "thingymajig" between the handbrake lever and the rear brakes? If so its wound right to the edge of the threaded bit, should it be wound in so as its as far from the end as possible?

Thank you

 

[Lister John]

Do they think it has too much travel? :?
Should be 6 or so clicks which looks like too much if they are used to looking at modern cars
Or as Harvey says, it might need adjusting/setting up right

He said aslong as theres reserve travel its fine but she goes tight on 7 clicks out of 8!!!

I'm unsure of the correct setting up procedure?

 

[harveyp6]

If you've set the adjuster on the outer cable correctly then there won't be any slack in the cable, and if the handbrake still doesn't work then the calipers need looking at.

Is that the adjuster "thingymajig" between the handbrake lever and the rear brakes? If so its wound right to the edge of the threaded bit, should it be wound in so as its as far from the end as possible?

Thank you

The threaded adjuster on the outer cable should be set at the point where if you move the adjuster nuts any further forward then the handbrake quadrants move off there stops. The quadrants should always be resting against the stops. Chances are that they're not because someone has fitted pads and not set up the calipers, and has then taken up the cable to get a decent handbrake in the short term.

 

[Lister John]

Ive fitted new pads and set the pistons so that the pads are touching the discs and its still free to move (not too tight)

I'll wind that adjuster forward and try again, if not I'll take some pics and post them up on here.

Thank you very much for your time...John

 

[harveyp6]

If you've just fitted pads then you need to wind the adjuster nuts down the thread on the outer cable until the quadrants are back on the stops, and then you should really remove the clevis pins on the quadrants, and either remove the outer pads and ratchet up the quadrants until the pad just slides back in when its all at rest, or remove the discs and do the same thing until the disc just slides in, which is the way I would do it.

 

[chrisw]

Hi does anyone know where I can get a device that takes out any excess slack on a handbrake cable for the MOT please?

My local motor factors dont do them.

Cheers

I thought that was called an open-ended spanner.. 1/2" from memory..

 

[richarduk]

If you've set the adjuster on the outer cable correctly then there won't be any slack in the cable, and if the handbrake still doesn't work then the calipers need looking at.

Is that the adjuster "thingymajig" between the handbrake lever and the rear brakes? If so its wound right to the edge of the threaded bit, should it be wound in so as its as far from the end as possible?

Thank you

Either the cable is nackered or it's not connected correctly to the brakes.

 

[Lister John]

If you've just fitted pads then you need to wind the adjuster nuts down the thread on the outer cable until the quadrants are back on the stops, and then you should really remove the clevis pins on the quadrants, and either remove the outer pads and ratchet up the quadrants until the pad just slides back in when its all at rest, or remove the discs and do the same thing until the disc just slides in, which is the way I would do it.

Re the pic below:
Is the green box/arrow the outer cable adjuster nuts you refer to?

Are the quadrents you refer to next to the red arrow/box?

Just wanted to check as the haynes is't that clear.

 

[harveyp6]

Yes, right on both counts. The quadrants are retained by the big slotted screw on the caliper. Don't be tempted to remove the screw because if the quadrant moves out the handbrake tappet in the caliper drops down and the caliper has to be removed and dismantled to get it back in.