Freelander 2 (LR2) Dodgy Handbrake

Hi guys, new member... be prepared for many questions!!
Firstly, my handbrake is shocking and I live on a huge hill, went to adjust the cable under the coin slot and everything looks seriously uneven, like one cable is pulling tighter than the other? Any advice gratefully accepted!
Secondly.. I have the absolute base model 2007, are there any upgrades that are plug and pray or at least simple to bring the spec up? Thanks in advance

Sounds like you have a sticking or incorrectly adjusted rear shoes, or the lever pivot (spreader)iirc, in one side has seized.

Yes there are some upgrades you can do, but most require the CCF files to be modified. To do that, you'll need an advanced bit of kit like the Gap Diagnostics IID BT reader/ programmer tool.
You can fit steering wheel radio controls, as those are plug and play.
Anything more complex needs the tool

Does an F2 still have drums on the back?

GrumpyGel said:

Does an F2 still have drums on the back?

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Only for the handbrake. All LR models after the FL1 had rear discs, with handbrake drums.

Awesome thanks guys! Next one.. (I'm not thick honestly!) How do I know if I have aircon? I have an econ button on my heater controls? Any other tell tale signs? It's not cooling so unsure if it needs a re gas or if it just doesn't have air con!

With the upgrades... is the wiring generally in place or do they need doing too?

Nathan Jones said:

Awesome thanks guys! Next one.. (I'm not thick honestly!) How do I know if I have aircon? I have an econ button on my heater controls? Any other tell tale signs? It's not cooling so unsure if it needs a re gas or if it just doesn't have air con!

With the upgrades... is the wiring generally in place or do they need doing too?

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If it has an ECON button, then I would think it has an AC compressor. However off hand, I can't be sure.


Some upgrades need the corresponding harnesses.
I'm a little confused as to why you would buy a base model, but want upgrades. It would have been lots cheaper and less trouble to simply buy the spec FL2 you wanted.

Econ button turns the air con off, when you demist the aircon should certainly work

My wife inherited the car so I had little control over the spec I'm afraid

Nathan Jones said:

My wife inherited the car so I had little control over the spec I'm afraid

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That explains it then. There are some things that can be added, but most require harnesses and CCF modification.

Nathan Jones said:

Hi guys, new member... be prepared for many questions!!
Firstly, my handbrake is shocking and I live on a huge hill, went to adjust the cable under the coin slot and everything looks seriously uneven, like one cable is pulling tighter than the other? Any advice gratefully accepted!
Secondly.. I have the absolute base model 2007, are there any upgrades that are plug and pray or at least simple to bring the spec up? Thanks in advance

Click to expand...

Nathan.
I did my NS brake shoes yesterday as I had the same little problem as you, the expander is most likely seized up as mine was, also the leading part of the shoe had worn down most likely the same reason as it was not being released off when the hand brake was not in use, get the disc drum off and check and clean or replace, I replaced as I was going to any way as part of my jobs to do after 3 months of ownership.

Arctic your a diamond! How did you diagnose as the nearside or did you just do both? Cheers

Nathan Jones said:

Arctic your a diamond! How did you diagnose as the nearside or did you just do both? Cheers

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Nathan I had adjusted previous as the hand brake was not great when I purchased the car, I had paper work for the discs and pads all round being change but no notes if the hand brake and been looked at, after adjustment it seemed to be ok, but a few weeks down the line I could hear a faint squeal when driving, also the front adjuster cable was at a angle, once I looked you can see it had been stuck on even after the hand brake was off so the leading edge of the shoes had worn down this must have been going on for a while and there was so must brake dust in the drum which would not help even if the expander was not stuck, few photo's below.

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I changed both sides as you always should do when doing any brake shoes or pad & discs do in pairs.
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note the adjuster knurled nut in the drum
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I will go back in and change the calipers in a week or so, for now I cleaned them up, and added new pads
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The old pads were still good but I like to start fresh so that is the reason for the calipers
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I will try and do a write up fully with photo's when I get time.