Hand brake adjustment

Everything that keeps your car in contact with the road, and from contacting other road users.
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johnnydog
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Re: Hand brake adjustment

#11 Post by johnnydog » Thu May 25, 2017 9:38 pm

If you had an excellent handbrake before you fitted new shoes and wheel cylinders, then the problem surely can only be in the new components, or their fitment (sorry!).
Even allowing time for the new shoes to 'bed in', the handbrake should, if everything is hunky dory, be very good right from the word go.
Check that the handbrake lever is correctly located in the cut out of the ratchet - this is one of the main fulcrum points in the operation of the shoes, and that the two lower springs are fitted correctly, with the 'curly' bit at the ratchet end towards the back plate. The two halves of the ratchet should be more or less equal in their approximate positions prior to automatically adjusting, depending on the current wear of the shoes.
The shorter of the two lower springs can be fitted (incorrectly) either way up, but logically, it should only go one way keeping the spring as straight as possible (I can't unfortunately remember without seeing the setup which way is the correct fitting of this shorter spring).
Ensure the guides on the rear subframe box sections are greased, as well as the central compensator for the rear cable which is positioned at the end of the front handbrake cable.
When everything is as it should be, whilst operating and releasing the handbrake, you should be able to feel a reasonable amount of resistive spring pressure - when something is amiss, or partially seized, operating the handbrake will have little or no spring resistance (does this make sense???).
If all else fails, try and find some original nos 'full fat' (asbestos) riveted shoes complete with the ratchets.
Good luck!
Register Member no. 1596

1967 Mk1 2000 in Gunmetal Grey
1969 Mk1 2000 in Royal Blue
1970 Mk2 2000 in Valencia Blue
1972 Mk2 2.5 PI in Triumph White
1973 Mk2 2.5 PI in Sienna Brown
1976 Mk2 2500S in Carmine Red

tony
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Re: Hand brake adjustment

#12 Post by tony » Fri May 26, 2017 5:51 am

Must agree with Johnnydog .When I got my Spitfire it was fitted with home made extensions which I could no reason for. Apart from looking mickey mouse didn't see the need for them. Replaced all the relevant necessary brake bits and everything worked as intended.
Tony.
1976 2500 TC. converted to S specs.

Lots of bits

1999 BMW Z3.
2006 BMW 325ti.
Hopefully not needing too many bits.




.

pete lewis
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Location:Luton

Re: Hand brake adjustment

#13 Post by pete lewis » Fri May 26, 2017 8:37 am

my original quest was that if you need the 518681/2 assy for the saloons they are not overly available
they are well know for the bell crank to seize , this assy was used on many cars of the time .many seized, and mis adjusted cables were the results.
the bell crank can wear where the shoe web contacts and this looses travel. its an age old problem as can the hole in the shoe.

the stag assy 519070/71 easily available and often much cheaper has exactly the same AP expander bar but the bell crank is 15mm longer, if you dont like that drill a new clevis hole.

if you dont need them. well dont do anything .. simpluze.
Pete Lewis
Luton
also area organiser for herts and beds tssc.

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herald1360
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Re: Hand brake adjustment

#14 Post by herald1360 » Sat May 27, 2017 2:48 pm

Hi all
Handbrake now sorted.
I think the problem was caused by a slightly damaged self adjusting ratchet, replaced this part, cleaned everything and now working perfectly.
Can't post a picture as I can't make it small enough!

thanks for all the advice
cheers
Paul Barlow
Exeter
1974 2500TC French blue
1972 Spitfire MK1V 1500cc Signal red

johnnydog
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Re: Hand brake adjustment

#15 Post by johnnydog » Mon May 29, 2017 12:29 am

Good to hear the handbrake is now sorted with the ratchets being the cause of your problems.
What was that about 'extensions' ??? :roll: :roll: :roll: ???
Register Member no. 1596

1967 Mk1 2000 in Gunmetal Grey
1969 Mk1 2000 in Royal Blue
1970 Mk2 2000 in Valencia Blue
1972 Mk2 2.5 PI in Triumph White
1973 Mk2 2.5 PI in Sienna Brown
1976 Mk2 2500S in Carmine Red

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