110 handbrake and drive issue

Evening all, I have been looking or a solution for two rpblems that have developed on my 1998 defender 110. I don't think they are related but will put them in the same post just in case.
First is an issue with the handbrake. It has suddenly started to 'pop up' once release. With that I mean the light on the dash come on and the handle has sort of sprung up. If you pust it down the lights go out but the next bump causes it to pop up again. I have tried to adjust it and I am on about 2 clicks on the ratchet but that doesn't solve it. (any ideas welcome)
Secondly the old girl (the car - not the wife) has started to grumble sometimes when you change down from 3rd to 2nd and you are decelerating. It causes quite a noticeable vibration throught the whole vehicle and she doesn't really want to pick up if you try to accelerate. If you change down to first, accelerate a little and then back into second it goes away. I can not determine where it is coming from but it happens (as far as I can tell) both with the cluthc up and down.
I would realy like to home in on some options before I start taking bits apart so again any ideas welcome

have you adjusted the hand brake cable, with noise on over run try with front prop off in diff lock ,you can remove t/box sump plate and check to see if theres any end float in intermediate gear cluster can be adjusted by tightening 30mm nut on rear of box

Hi thanks for quick response - adjusted handbrake and it all seemed fine. Dpwn to 2 clicks and when first adjusted seemed better now getting worse again. The handle has a definite push against it and nothing pulling it down. Started happening after the first heavy frost we had (in case that helps)
Will try removing front prop tomorrow and see what happens

fergusv said:

Hi thanks for quick response - adjusted handbrake and it all seemed fine. Dpwn to 2 clicks and when first adjusted seemed better now getting worse again. The handle has a definite push against it and nothing pulling it down. Started happening after the first heavy frost we had (in case that helps)
Will try removing front prop tomorrow and see what happens

Click to expand...

cable at back of lever bracket or adjuster on back plate ,you may need a new cable they arent expensive ,worth checking shoes return with drum off

adjusted cable at back of lever bracket - noticed cables were not expensive just wanted to check if there was anything else I should check first. Is it worth trying to adjust on the backplate ?