3 replies to this topic

[Jet Williams]

I'm sure this is fairly straightforward, but how do I fit a new handbrake cable (rear section)?

It broke the other day after having become rather corroded; ordered a new one from Minispares which arrived today (very promptly I might add) and might have a bash at fitting it tomorrow. My mechanical knowledge is rudimentary at best!

[spiguy]

I'm sure this is fairly straightforward, but how do I fit a new handbrake cable (rear section)?

It broke the other day after having become rather corroded; ordered a new one from Minispares which arrived today (very promptly I might add) and might have a bash at fitting it tomorrow. My mechanical knowledge is rudimentary at best!

fun fun fun.

Believe it or not, you actually need to take the front cable off to fit the rear... The rear cable is retained in place by the front cable, at the 'balancer' bit.

Lift the carpet at the handbrake and remove the little cover (self tapping screws) where the cable enters the car.

backoff the locknut and undo the cable adjuster nut completely.

You can now drop the front section (still attached to the back) out under the car. Oh - if your car has an exhaust heat shield, you'll probably need to take this off to, or at least take off some of the nuts so you can see what you are doing when its time to feed the cable back in.

Prise up the cable guide on the subby, which should be bent over to retain the cable. prise up the ends of the handbrake quadrants on the radius arms, which should be squashed to retain the cable.

Next remove the pin which attaches the handbrake cable to the levers at each backplate. These pins are retained by little split pins - almost guarantee that you will find you can't get them out due to being totally rusted! If thats the case you'll need to just cut them / file them flush to let you get the pins out, and then re-drill the split pin hole later.

with the hanbrake cable ends now free you should be able to slide the cable out of the guides attached to the backplate (which the return springs sit against)

Now you need to wrestle the cable ends round the handbrake quadrants , and through the gaps in the subframe. Alternatively you could always cut the cable in the middle, and pull each half through the other way.

Once all thats done, you need to remove the front cable from the balancer plate to let you fit the new rear cable. I would suggest you just replace the front while you are at it... To do this you need to prise off the little star washer thingy that holds the front in place at the front of the balancer. Then you can withdraw the front cable from the balancer.

Bung the new back cable 'in' (lie it against the balancer, it will all make sense by now as you have seen how it works) and insert the front cable into the balancer again, re-fitting the star washer thingy.

feed the rear handbrake cable ends through the subby and round the quadrants on the radius arms, then locate them at the return springs in the backplate guides.

Pinch the handbrake quadrants to retain the cable. Attach the cable ends to the handbrake levers using the pins and new split pins.

Give the cable guide on the subby a good greasing, then route the cable/s through it and fold the edges over again to retain it.

Feed the end of the front cable through the floor, and then inside the car re-attach it to the handbrake lever, with the adjuster and locknut. I find its easier if you first re-attach the cable cover to the floor, as this stops the cable dropping back out if you let go of it by accident.

Adjust the handbrake cable at the handbrake lever accordingly.

I think thats it.

feel free to correct anyone!

[Jet Williams]

Thanks for taking the time to write this very comprehensive guide!

[Ouster]

FAQ worthy me thinks!