Hi everyone, am I being thick ? or is my handbrake cable stretched beyond limits? I have adjusted the screw thing by about a cm clockwise/ making the thread go downwards {into the car} not a lot of difference but I can hear the cable creaking, the brakes feel harder as well under foot, do I keep adjusting downwards??
Cheers
Chris
Handbrake adjustment?
-
AlfaCorseChris
- Posts: 634
- Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2014 8:30 am
- Location: Cyprus
Re: Handbrake adjustment?
Well to begin with, you need to make sure that when your handbrake is fully released, your caliper levers where the handbrake cable slots into are fully open.
By what you are saying, I'm getting the feeling that they are not.
So undo that cable again to allow it to go back where it should.
Then, you need to adjust the calipers, not the cable, from the inner side.
The way to do this is easy.
Just lift the car off its wheels, get a number 8 socket and either do or undo that adjuster on the top, till you hear your brakes scraping the disc when you turn the wheel.
The wheel should be able to turn freely, so dont overdue it otherwise you will cook your pads, boil your brake fluid and have no brakes.
Once you feel satisfied with that, you can improve it even more by adjusting the outer brake piston as well - although that one may prove to be a bit tricky.
Thats done from the outer side of the caliper
Remove that black plastic number 17 cover bolt, and you will find a thread inside with a 17 lock nut and an allen slot in the middle.
That one proves to be tricky because you shouldnt undo the 17 nut as far as it goes, but it needs to be done little by little, otherwise the thread will go in and the o'ring inside the caliper will retreat causing you leaking calipers.
Also make sure you find proper tools for this adjustment, otherwise when you are done adjusting and you want to secure that nut again, it will get it off the adjustment as you are tightening it. Every mm counts big time.
I suggest a 17socket with a welded arm on the side so you can tightening it while holding the inner rod with the allen key in place.
Hope this helps
Good luck
By what you are saying, I'm getting the feeling that they are not.
So undo that cable again to allow it to go back where it should.
Then, you need to adjust the calipers, not the cable, from the inner side.
The way to do this is easy.
Just lift the car off its wheels, get a number 8 socket and either do or undo that adjuster on the top, till you hear your brakes scraping the disc when you turn the wheel.
The wheel should be able to turn freely, so dont overdue it otherwise you will cook your pads, boil your brake fluid and have no brakes.
Once you feel satisfied with that, you can improve it even more by adjusting the outer brake piston as well - although that one may prove to be a bit tricky.
Thats done from the outer side of the caliper
Remove that black plastic number 17 cover bolt, and you will find a thread inside with a 17 lock nut and an allen slot in the middle.
That one proves to be tricky because you shouldnt undo the 17 nut as far as it goes, but it needs to be done little by little, otherwise the thread will go in and the o'ring inside the caliper will retreat causing you leaking calipers.
Also make sure you find proper tools for this adjustment, otherwise when you are done adjusting and you want to secure that nut again, it will get it off the adjustment as you are tightening it. Every mm counts big time.
I suggest a 17socket with a welded arm on the side so you can tightening it while holding the inner rod with the allen key in place.
Hope this helps
Good luck
Re: Handbrake adjustment?
Hi thanks for that, I shall give it a go and get back to you....
Chris
Chris