4 replies to this topic

[Kerrin]

The mini project is almost finished, but the rear brakes dont seem right, its basically a 1990 mayfair.

The brake adjuster on both rear hubs are adjusted up as tight as they will go without binding, but the handbrake adjustment is up almost to the end of the thread and the handbrake is still needing over 5 clicks to put on, and then it really isn't tight.

I have checked the routing of the hand brake cable and it seems ok, the shoes are good and the drums dont appear worn.

There is a set of Super minifin's ready to fit so maybe they are worth trying in case the old drums are worn

The brakes were fitted to the car when I got it but the subframe and rear arms are new

Anything else I could check? were there any changes to the handbrakes/cables on the later cars, my 81 mini is spot on 1 click.

Edited by Kerrin, 24 March 2010 - 11:35 PM.

[Dan]

Has the cable stretched perhaps?

[Kerrin]

I think there is a spare cable in the shed, I will try swapping it tommorrow.

[lrostoke]

Worth checking the condition of handbrake mechanism inside the drum, the hole in the shoe spreader (the bit the cable connects to) can enlarge, this allows a lot of vertical movement rather than horizontal movement of the spreader.

By the time you add up worn drums, worn shoes, worn spreader and stretched cable = dodgy handbrake.

[Kerrin]

Yes I will check them too. Never had a handbrake problem
on any of the other 20 odd mini's I have owned. So wasn't sure where to start.

Cheers