Handbrake Woes

[Austin-Rover]

Apart from what would seem the usual problem of the handbrake sticking slightly during damp weather, my handbrake slowly seems to be losing the ability to hold the car still. I have to park every night on a sloping driveway, and on more than one occasion I have got out of the car after pulling the handbrake up all the way only to hear the car groan and slide slowly down the driveway. It’s only a few months since the cable was last adjusted, and now it has problems holding the car in place on every single click of the lever.

Does it need adjusting again? Or are there other things I should check?

:)

[E_T_V]

The handbrake should be fully on by about the 4th click. If you are pulling it up more than this then it will need adjusting again

If the hadbrake is adjusted ok but the effort is weak you could try examining the rear brake shoes. Sometimes the rear cylinders leak leading to oil on the shoes, and sometimes the drums become so full of dust and dirt that they need a good clean out. It is unlikely that the rear shoes have worn out as they never seem to. My car ones were almost like new at 100k apart from both rear wheel cylinders had leaked all over the, and my van ones are only about half worn at 200k.

You could also try applying the handbrake whilst moving (very carefully of course). This has the effect of bedding the shoes in and removing the rusted on deposits which often occur when the car is left for a while. Because of the combination of the brakes sticking and the poor brake effort I'd strip them down for a good look and clean when you get chance. Chances are that after a good clean they'll be a lot better.

[e692wtt]

The handbrake felt ok when I drove the car at the weekend (but we need to get the clutch cable adjusted :banghead: ) - a lot better than in my Monty.

I would expect the rear brakes to be self-adjusting, and if there is a lot of brake dust in the rear brakes then this can stop working. You need to strip the rear brakes and clean the whole lot in brake cleaner, then have a play with the self-adjusters (the diagrams in Haynes are of unusually good quality for them ;) ). Get a feel for how it works and then lightly grease the surfaces that seem to rub together. Then put it all back together, with new parts as required (hopefully none).

Your rear brake problems should be fixed - if not, it could be the handbrake cable(s) sticking - these are only a few pounds from the motor factors.

Incidentally, I presume you park with the car in gear on the drive? So if the handbrake fails the car won't actually go anywhere or cause any damage...

PS the left hand rear axle nut has a left hand thread... but apart from this the brake drums always just 'fall off' when their nuts are loosened. It's dead easy, give it a go :) .

[Fast Guy]

the brake drums always just 'fall off' when their nuts are loosened. It's dead easy, give it a go :) .

HaHaHA! I wish mine did. Complete new set ups were the only time mine fell off. With worn drums I nearly always had to knock the drum off because the shoe was sitting past the lip on the drum and catching. :banghead:
The self adjuster always needed freeing up too. You might need to change the rear cables as I always found these seized inside the outer casing.