Curious, how effective should I expect the parking brake to be?

I had the cable adjusted, but the car will easily overpower the brake even idling unless I really pull it hard. The car won't roll down a gentle grade with the brake set however.

If the brake isn't holding as well as it should, do the pads tend to wear out?

What are the other common faults if this is not the expected performance?

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My parking brake will comfortably hold the full weight of the vehicle on a steep 45 degree grade in neutral on 5 clicks from disengaged. A few nights ago I slowed the vehicle 20mph with the EBrake, so as not to light the brake lights and alert a cop to my speed.

 

Adjusting the cable is only for taking up slack caused by a stretched cable. It will only mean you have less clicks to apply the brake, it won't make the brake any better.

The handbrake is adjusted manually by a toothed wheel - see the picture below. This can be accessed by lining up the hole in the outer face of the brake disc and using a screwdriver to turn the wheel.

To adjust the handbrake first slacken off the cable. Turn the adjuster until the wheel is just locked, then slacken off enough turns so there is no binding when turning the wheel. Repeat on the other side then adjust the cable as required for the right feel at the lever.

Sometimes the mechanism seizes up. If you can't get the wheel to lock easily then strip down the mechanism, clean and use suitable grease.

 

My parking brakes grip quite fiercely as well. The above advice covers the bases well. I'll only add that frequent use of the p.brake helps keep it operational. I use mine whenever I get out of the car just out of habit.

Oh....one more thing.....

If you ever remove the rear brake discs make sure you orient the discs properly on reinstallation. You don't wanna to cover up the access hole to the adjuster. Take a good look next time you're in that area....you'll see what I mean. Ask me how I know

Cheers
DD

 

One other bit of info to add to the excellent advice already given by b1mcp and Doug. I recall a member of one of the Jag-Lovers forums reporting that in the U.K. the hand brake must fully engage in no more than 3 clicks of the ratchet or it is an MOT failure. Perhaps one of our current U.K. members can confirm or correct this info.

Cheers,

Don

 

There is no requirement in the UK MOT Tester's Manual as to the number of clicks required to fully set the parking brake but the lever ratchet must operate correctly and the lever travel must be capable of fully setting the parking brake. (Testers may grumble if the lever travel appears excessive but as long as the brake can be fully set it complies). The brake efficency must be at least 16%. This usually measured on brake test rollers. For vehicles where brake test rollers cannot be used the manual states that 16% is equivalent to holding the vehicle stationary on a 1 in 6.25 incline.