Poor handbrake

[Davidkinton]

I’ve replaced the shoes on my a2 and the handbrake seems poor. I’ve just had a look at them again, to see if I could manually adjust them further using a procedure described in a previous post. Looking at it, the wedges seem to be as far down as they can go. Does this mean that the drums are worn to a point where there is no more adjustment and need replacement?


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[Guest 4123]

Does this mean that the drums are worn to a point where there is no more adjustment and need replacement?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not necessarily. Have you tried adjusting the handbrake cables? How much wear on the shoes - look at both ends? If you have tried adjusting the cables it might be that the cable springs are compressed and weak; this has the same effect as stretching the cables. The only cure for weak springs is cable replacement.

RAB

 

[Davidkinton]

Not necessarily. Have you tried adjusting the handbrake cables? How much wear on the shoes - look at both ends? If you have tried adjusting the cables it might be that the cable springs are compressed and weak; this has the same effect as stretching the cables. The only cure for weak springs is cable replacement.

RAB

The shoes are brand new as are all the springs. I know it could be the handbrake cables that have stretched, but I’m not sure this would mean the automatic adjusters would be fully adjusted and still the shoes not touching the drums?


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[Weetank2]

The shoes are brand new as are all the springs. I know it could be the handbrake cables that have stretched, but I’m not sure this would mean the automatic adjusters would be fully adjusted and still the shoes not touching the drums?


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You dont mention the vehicle mileage, though pattern of use + style of previous drivers, may be just as relevant
The drums have a max diameter limit stamped on them
I have new sets in the workshop if yours are illegilble can check when next there
From memory it is a very small tolerance, seem to recall around 2mm
The cables should be less relevant as the lever mechanism on the shoes would be fresh and you can adjust on the cabin handbrake
The auto adjuster wedge shouldnt drop more that much with new shoes and reasonable drums

 

[Guest 4123]

The shoes are brand new as are all the springs. I know it could be the handbrake cables that have stretched, but I’m not sure this would mean the automatic adjusters would be fully adjusted and still the shoes not touching the drums?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I mean the springs on the cables, not within the brake drum. You would only know if they are compressed if you remove the cables and compare with new ones. If the springs are shorter now than they should be, this has the same effect as stretching the cables which means that you might run out of adjustment. If the foot brake works on the rear, there can't be too much wrong within the drums.

RAB

 

[kp 115]

You dont mention the vehicle mileage, though pattern of use + style of previous drivers, may be just as relevant
The drums have a max diameter limit stamped on them
I have new sets in the workshop if yours are illegilble can check when next there
From memory it is a very small tolerance, seem to recall around 2mm
The cables should be less relevant as the lever mechanism on the shoes would be fresh and you can adjust on the cabin handbrake
The auto adjuster wedge shouldnt drop more that much with new shoes and reasonable drums

Max 201.5 mm on my newly fitted MEYLE drums today if that’s any help.