Handbrake problem (drub brakes) low efficiency

[chimpsinties]

I've got my MOT next week and I'm worried about my handbrake.

A few months ago a brake shoe sheared off and wedged in my drum causing the left hand rear wheel to lock up.

I replaced the shoes but the hand brake has never quite been the same since.

Has anyone got any advice how I can get it to work better?

I cleaned the drum with brake cleaner when I changed the shoes.

The hand brake probably comes up about 5-6 clicks and will hold the car on a hill but it won't lock up the rear wheels however hard you pull it :dapprove:

 

[SC03OTT]

I think it has to be 13% efficient to pass. No idea where I got that from, it something I heard somewhere. Not sure how you'd measure it yourself mind.

 

[Jimbo-Clio]

Chances are the cable is shagged mate does it rattle on the exhaust/heatshield? left hand side handbrake cables rrp £17.50 from uni part if you can borrow someones trade card or blag it takes them down to £14. Only other thing is take the case off the handbrake leaver and adjust it that way best off getting it on a ramp if possiable and checking it with wheel rotation so you dnt over adjust it mate.

J

 

[chimpsinties]

I guess it could just not be pulling it on hard enough. if that's the case then I will sort it this weekend. I got an earlier appointment for the MOT so it's in there now. Maybe I'll be lucky and it'll just pass. I doubt it though :dapprove:

I don't know weather just tightening the cable will make much difference cos it just doesn't have much stopping power when it is pulled.

 

[Jimbo-Clio]

Cant really say then mate without having a look, cables do fray though reducing the stopping power before they actually snap

 

[Alastair.]

adjust the shoes before replacing anything

 

[chimpsinties]

Just thought I'd let you know. It failed the MOT on the back brakes and a front ball joint. So I just wacked it in the garage.

The charged me £70 for a new rear brake cylinder (apparently that's what had gone and one of the rears wasn't working at all) and ball joint + Labour. Not to bad really.

The hand brake has also been adjusted and seems better now. He had to free that off on one side which probably means it wasn't working at all on that side either.

Anyway. Passed now.

Cheers for you help.