Evening all. I have just been reading up on adjusting the handbrake pads after fitting new ones. In the book it says to ratchet the arm until the clicking stops and that is the correct adjustment. Will this mean the pads will be upto the disc? I thought a small gap was needed? Don’t want to get this part wrong like I did last time! Thanks

 

When you have it all back together have but not yet reinstalled the axle in the car, you must adjust the large slot-headed screw (the one with the split pin though it to lock it, 14 and 15 below). It should be wound in clockwise until the pads ate about 1 thou off the disc; REALLY close. Then put in the split pin. The self-adjusters should, in theory anyway, adjust for wear, not that much ever occurs on the HB pads. The self adjusters only have so much travel, so the initial setup using the screw is very important. Also renew 17 and 18, or the pads will squeal at certain times and speeds, also wear as they are not held off the disc properly.

FYI, it is quite usual for the HB cable to seem to have magically shortened itself when you have the cage back in and are trying to reconnect the cable to the caliper arms. If so, get a friend to pull hard on the cable while you press the HB lever button, and then lift and lower the lever slowly, button still in. This resets the lever mechanism correctly.

 

Much obliged

 

When setting mine I made 4 plastic spacers the thickness of the gap recommended in the manual then wound screw 14 in until it pinchd the spacers between the rotors and the pads and fitted the split pins. Then pressed the spacers against the rotor with my thumb while turning the wheels with the other hand to pull them out.
Holds perfect and never had any rubbing or obvious wear of the pads in over three years. Might not be the best method but it works. ( I just sit back and look at a situation and work out my own method that makes sense to me)



It can be adjusted when IRS is in the car but it's not easy. I installed the hand brake calipers and set them with the IRS in the car as I was still waiting on parts for the hand brake calipers when I was ready to put the IRS back in. But I would recommend doing it when the IRS is out, much easier.

Replacing 18 is a must. The parts I had a hold up on were 16 as the PO has bent them then ground the ends to get them in. I didn't notice until the day I was going to fit the hand brake calipers and reinstall th IRS so it went back in with no hand brake.

 

A tedious way is to leave the cable disconnected and use a LONG prybar to work the handbrake levers (the part between #7 & #11) back and forth to each extreme until a 'click' is detected. Work the lever in opposite directions listening for the 'click' at each extreme.

Turning the slotted screw speeds things up, but it is difficult to access and remove/install locking split pin.

Most people do NOT use the handbrake (except maybe once a year for a State Inspection) and it becomes out of adjustment. Ratcheting the levers manually can bring the pads within working distance.

bob

 

Job done, I hope. Thank you for your assistance gents