7 replies to this topic

[BigDave99]

Hello everyone

I have a 1995 mayfair with a handbrake problem! basically the handbrake is as good as useless, its kinda my fault because me being the idiot that i am went through a weird spell of leaving my handbrake on when driving, it was only short journeys so i didnt smell the burning and because the handbrake was so bad anyway i didnt notice a problem.

Now the handbrake is useless - why is this? Have i just knackered the pads and need to change and then adjust them or is it something simpler? also has anyone rigged up like a light or buzzer on a switch to alert you if the handbrake is on - just on a an ign live with like a push switch? if so how have you done it?

all help and input very welcome - and feel free to call me names!

Dave

[Bungle]

try and adjust them

if that doesn't work remove the drum and check the shoes

if its not that you might of stretched the cable


and as for name calling dip stick (sticking to a car theme)

[taffy1967]

I just got into the habbit of always checking my handbrake is off whilst driving my Mini.

[998dave]

if the handbrake isn't brilliant odds are the normal brakes aren't too good either...

- back off handbrake adjustment.
- adjust rear brakes.
- adjust hand brake.

There are in depth descriptions on here, use the search function or your Haynes.

[1984mini25]

I just got into the habbit of always checking my handbrake is off whilst driving my Mini.

Along with it still being in gear or not the choke off, etc, etc.

Just quickly off the top of my head, you could mount a door pop switch (about a £1 from marlins) so that the contacts are apart when the handbrake is down, and together making contact when the handbrake is up. And wire it up to a light/led on the dash with a switch able ignition controlled live so it’s not on when the engine is off to save draining the battery.

So it would be switch able live (with fuse), pop switch, warning light, earth.

[HARBER07]

My handbrake is useless too - was going to fix at the weekend but didnt have time. Makes a hill start pretty fun though using 3 pedals with 2 feet!

[mini_mad69]

Hello everyone


also has anyone rigged up like a light or buzzer on a switch to alert you if the handbrake is on - just on a an ign live with like a push switch? if so how have you done it?

all help and input very welcome - and feel free to call me names!

Dave

If you fix you handbrake properly surely you will not need a buzzer as it won't be able to drive or accelerate normaly/properly.
But it should be quite easy using a door switch and a warning lamp.

Whip your drums off at the back, its quite easy and check the wear on your shoes, if there fine have a little clean up while your in there and put the drum back on and adjust it up, it could be that your cable has stretched aswell in which case you will need to tighten it up aswell.

Edited by mini_mad69, 17 November 2008 - 09:33 PM.

[icklemini]

Buzzer?? - well i know modern cars have the light, but it really isnt needed.. i mean you dont 'forget' to put the car in gear before pulling away.. or indicating..

sounds like you need to service the rear brakes (haynes)... also check that the handbrake quadrants on the radius arms are free too...

hth,
Dave