Handbrake cables - removal, refitting and adjustment

Braking system / Handbrake cables - removal, refitting and adjustment

Removal
1 Chock the front wheels, then jack up the rear of the vehicle and support it on axle stands (see “Jacking and vehicle support”).

Release the handbrake.

2 Remove the cover from the handbrake lever then undo the locknut and adjuster nut from the cable concerned.

3 Remove the rear roadwheel(s).

4 On drum brake models, remove the brake drum and disconnect the cable from the shoe operating lever. Detach the cable from the backplate.

5 On models fitted with rear disc brakes, disengage the cable from the caliper lever then prise free the outer cable retaining clip from the caliper. Note how the clip is located.

6 Release the cable from its retaining clips and then carefully withdraw it from under the vehicle (see illustration).

14.6 Handbrake cable retaining clip (arrowed) at rear axle beam pivot

Refitting
7 Refitting is a reversal of removal, but adjust the cable as follows before lowering the vehicle.

Adjustment
Drum brakes
8 With the handbrake lever fully released, depress the footbrake applying firm pressure, once only. Now pull the handbrake up onto its second notch position.

9 Tighten the adjuster nut on the cable concerned so that the rear roadwheel is just felt to bind when rotated. Fully release the handbrake lever then check that the roadwheel spins freely without binding.

Tighten the locknut against the adjuster nut then apply the handbrake and check that the wheel is locked. Repeat the procedure with the other cable.

Disc brakes
10 Before checking and adjusting the handbrake cables, first check the outer brake pad to caliper clearance.

11 Fully release the handbrake lever then tighten the cable adjuster nut to the point where the caliper lever just separates from its stop (see illustration). An assistant is useful here to ensure that as the nut is tightened, the lever-to-stop clearance does not exceed 1.0 mm. Tighten the locknut then fully release the handbrake and check that the roadwheel rotates freely, then apply the handbrake and check that the roadwheel is locked.

14.11 Handbrake adjustment on rear disc brakes

Lever on caliper (arrowed) should be just clear of stop

12 Repeat the procedure on the other side.