Hndbrake cable adjustment

[gazzafield]

Now, may be a newbie style question, but how do I work the adjuster to adjust the handbrake cable? I had a look at it and it just looks like a round and plastic blob. No hexes, nothing. So, what do you do with it? Why can't the use the simple thread and locknut?

[e692wtt]

Why use a thread and locknut, when you can use a very coarse thread and nut both made out of plastic that won't corrode (OK, it gets stiff with muck, but that's easily cleared...) and that a pair of molegrips will fit easily? ;)

It's a bit abstract to work out the adjuster and adjust it as needed, but the Haynes book of lies tells all (from memory, turn the nut clockwise viewed from the rear of the car to tighten it - I could be wrong though!).

Or chock the wheels and take the handbrake off, turn the 'nut' several turns in one direction (and remember which direction!) and see if the handbrake cable is tighter (lever doesn't come up as far) or looser. Then you know which directon to turn the 'nut' for the result you want.

A but mucky to use, but it never seizes :) .

[mgdavid]

Now, may be a newbie style question, but how do I work the adjuster to adjust the handbrake cable? I had a look at it and it just looks like a round and plastic blob. No hexes, nothing. So, what do you do with it? Why can't the use the simple thread and locknut?

er, you shouldn't need to - you do realise the rear brakes are self-adjusting ?
The mechanism inside the drums does sometimes stick with crud so remove the drums, free it all up and refit, should fix the problem.

[xamtex]

when i used to look after a fleet of maestros i always wound the handrake cable adjustment off....then remove the rear drum and manually adjust the rear shoes by putting a screwdriver inbetween the serrated wheel and the stop and lever it out 1 click at a time til it just starts to drag....then back it off just a little till the drum could be easlily turned....THEN adjust the handbrake cable....i used pipe grips on the knurled nut...you may need to lever the big nut back a touch as the tapers lock together and can be hard to move....then apply the handbrake 3 clicks and turn the knurled nut clockwise when viewed from the rear till the rear wheels lock.
i used to remove any lip on the rear drums with an angle grinder so i could slide the drums on and off easily.
this method also ensures a perfect footbrake....

[G Force]

....i used pipe grips on the knurled nut...you may need to lever the big nut back a touch as the tapers lock together and can be hard to move....

In addition to the advice already given. To turn the knurled nut, it should always first be levered away from its counterpart to release it from its taper lock, widening the gap. The cable adjuster is designed this way to stop the adjuster wheel turning in service.

You will also notice the cable has what looks like a 6in long piece of large hose pipe around it, this is there to enable you to grasp hold of the rear cable and pull it away from the adjusment mechanism to keep open the gap to prevent it relocking whilst you then turn the wheel by hand.:)