Handbrake - keeps going slack !

[Saffy]

Handbrake went slack about a month ago. Thought the shoes had worn so replaced them with new along with the adjuster bolt (that came with shoes) but the handbrake went slack again about 50 miles later.
I have tried adjusting as per workshop manual and the handbrake is sweet and firm on 3 clicks for a few uses but then few miles later its slack again taking all the clicks and is a weak brake. When I changed the shoes I didn't notice anything wrong with the mechanism.

This is a handbrake on a 97 300tdi 110, with cable brake mechanism,

Any ideas?

[Sharpshooter]

Try changing the cable. It might be breaking down, and stretching.

[crazymac]

Is it possible you've bent part of it? I had something similar with a series 3 and I realised that I had bent the back plate, so depending on where the shoes are decides whether it holds or not!

[Saffy]

Is it possible you've bent part of it? I had something similar with a series 3 and I realised that I had bent the back plate, so depending on where the shoes are decides whether it holds or not!

could be :?:  looks like I need to take it apart and have a poke around see whats what, hate taking propshaft off :x