5 replies to this topic

[davexdavexdave]

yesterday i was being a fool and did a wheel spin in my car as i pulled away from work (messing around with my mates) anyway little did i know i had left the hand brake on and now it dont work too good. it still does keep the car still i just have to pull it up really far but even then it still feels loose.

what can i do????

please dont tell me i have messed it up big time as ive just fixed the front brakes!!

[minimanclive]

I would take the brake drums off, check the condition of the brake shoes. If they're OK and have enough brake lining left, put it back together and readjust them. Assuming that the adjuster on the back plate hasn't seized up.

If you're not confident working on brakes get someone else to do it or check your work for you. If you get an engine wrong the car doesn't go. If you get brakes wrong it doesn't stop!

[Guess-Works.com]

Before pulling them apart, just check the adjustment, as above... most of the time that's all it is...

If you then hear a metalic scraping sound when you brake, then the shoes are wornout.

[minimole]

if it makes you feel any better i drove 15 miles with the handbrake on and i am sure i am not the only one. my rear drums actually did no braking at all, adjusted them and it was fine although it does needs new shoes which i have fitted.

[davexdavexdave]

ok cheers every one.

[Kerrin]

it could be the weld on the front of the handbrake mount.
where it welds to the seat crossmember. I have seen this break.

Mind you my mate broke the whole handbrake lever too later on so he was a bit heavy handed.