Hand Brake Again :-(

[Matt_H]

I stripped and rebuilt the hand brake mech a few weeks ago with new pads and it worked ok.  Now it's not working properlly again :-(

The hand brake lever will pull the brake on a bit but not enough to keep the vehicle still on a slope.  Taking the hand brake off the mech doesn't release properlly, give it a push form underneath and it pops off.  I screwed the adjuster in until I couldn't tun the drum by hand, then backed it off one click so that I could move the drum by hand.  

If I pull the hand brake on I can get 4 or 5 clicks then it won't move any further at all.

What can the problem be?  Could it be the drum itself or something else?

Thanks
Matthew

[Range Rover Blues]

What year is it? is it a cable handbrake or rod/lever?
Coould it be the actuating thingy inside the drum, they work by rollers on a wedge, which wears, and could explain why you handbrake won't go on or off.

[Matt_H]

it's a 1990 with the rod linkage connected to a cable.  I took apart the thing inside with the taper and rollers.  Cleaned it all out degreased etc and covered in new grease when I rebuilt it, it seemed to go on and off then.  TBH I've no idea what wear on it would look like having never seen a new one.

Wonder what safari would charge to fit it, not sure I can be bothered spending another day underneath it :(  I've spent about 2 already.

[Range Rover Blues]

The slope on the tapers should be smooth and flat, a worn one would have ruts in it, and the rollers should be nice and round, not oval, or in the worst case have flats on them!
Could it be your cable is doomed, try getting someone to apply and realease the handbrake whilst you watch the mechanism from underneath with the drum removed.
Oh, and check the return springs are ok.

[muddysteve]

it would be worth giving safari a ring 01189732732 just to find out, some stuff he's very cheap and other stuff so expensive it gives you the incentive to go fox it yourself  :)


Steve

[Matt_H]

well the cable is new too, although I was given the wrong one to start with.  The OEM one needed to be modified slightly as it was anyway, the handbrake end connector was too large and fouled on the ratchet mech.  Removed a few mm and it was fine.

The roller thingies weren't scored and the round things were round, but my eye is not so good for spotting worn bits.

Didn't see any kind of return spring apart from the ones that hold the pads inside the drum, wonder if that could have come off.  I've had a look in the workshop manual and don't see any other spring. Any ideas?

M

[muddysteve]

ring dave   :shock:

[Matt_H]

Looks like the series motor hand brake has some kind of return spring (checked the haines at a friends place) but checking both haines and the land rover workshop book, neither show the disco with one.

I wouldhave thought that the shoes spring would have been strong enough to pull the hand brake mech closed again, certainly when I had the thing apart finger pressure on the little pokey out things would force the lever out again.  I filled it with LM grease, perhaps that was the wrong grease and it's gone sticky some how.

Oh well I'll pop into safari on the way to work tomorrow and see what they say.

Matthew

[Range Rover Blues]

If I pull the hand brake on I can get 4 or 5 clicks then it won't move any further at all.

What can the problem be?  Could it be the drum itself or something else?

Thanks
Matthew

I only get 3 clicks from the Rangie, maybe you need to adjust the cable now, if could have stretched if it's new.
When you say it won't go any further, is it a little springy or does it stop as if the handbrake lever has run out of travel?
I'd also check that grease hasn't got anywhere it shouldn't, and how long has the grease been there, could it have soaked up the brake dust?
I think you need to have another look inside just to be sure.

[Matt_H]

Cable is fully adjusted, if I leave it tight I get 2 clicks and no more travel, I mean he-man himself couldn't move it.  If  leave cable slack then you can have 5 or 6 clicks or even more if you want but when it gets to the end it doesn't travel any further.

It's literally only been back on for two weeks.

The only thing I can think of is the mechanism inside is shot.  The adjuster works ok becuase I can lock the brake on with it, but the mech itselfdoesn't realease off properlly.  I only put a small amount of grease in it, and it's only done 100 miles since I rebuilt it..

If only I knew what the problem actually was then I know I could fix it, just not knowing is the pain in the whatsit!

cheers
Matthew

[Range Rover Blues]

If only I knew what the problem actually was then I know I could fix it, just not knowing is the pain in the whatsit!

cheers
Matthew

Then have someone apply and release the h/brake whilst you lie underneath and watch what's happening, with the drum off BTW.

[sub4x4]

ye im having same prob but replaced everything shoes cable and the wotsy thing for opening the brakes ?ye the adjuster thing
so i tighten the square peg and it holds for a day then same thing ?

[Matt_H]

very odd.. I'm gonna fixthe back brake then bung it down to safari.. They reckon two hours to totally strip and rebuild and I'll get them to do the rear diff oil seal at the same time so £100 for the job I'd have thought.

When/If I find out what the problem is I'll post it up so you can check that too.

The only thing I can think it woudl be is I've put the expander bits in back to front although I did check it all when I reassembled - pushing down on the pins pushed the actuator out, so in theory it shouldn't be that!

Matthew