Nomad Z
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- Doonfae Embra
Land Rover 90, 1986. Handbrake actuator is the cable & rod type. Could do with some guidance/assistance...
The vehicle is used daily and the handbrake has worked fine up until last weekend, when I went out to it and the handbrake lever went down okay, but the shoes didn't release. The cable seems to slacken normally, but the rod going into the expander doesn't go in. No reason to suppose the shoes have seized on, so I'm guessing the expander has gotten crapped up, or maybe wear has resulted in it becoming mechanically locked in some way.
With the handbrake locked on solid, moving the vehicle is virtually impossible (tough even in low range) and getting the drum off looks like a non-starter. I tried to slacken the adjuster at the other end of the shoes, but it wouldn't budge with a 12mm spanner (just a normal small combination spanner). There was no hint of movement at all (turning anti-clockwise). I left it midweek with a liberal dose of WD40 and will give it another go soon.
Some questions...
Should the adjuster unscrew completely, or does it reach an end stop where it doesn't back off any further?
Any thoughts on where I can get a 12mm brake adjuster spanner with a square opening? Something with a better fit and maybe more leverage might help. The local places don't have anything that size.
Is there a way to get the vehicle drivable, such that I can take it to a garage and get them to deal with it?
Cheers.
The vehicle is used daily and the handbrake has worked fine up until last weekend, when I went out to it and the handbrake lever went down okay, but the shoes didn't release. The cable seems to slacken normally, but the rod going into the expander doesn't go in. No reason to suppose the shoes have seized on, so I'm guessing the expander has gotten crapped up, or maybe wear has resulted in it becoming mechanically locked in some way.
With the handbrake locked on solid, moving the vehicle is virtually impossible (tough even in low range) and getting the drum off looks like a non-starter. I tried to slacken the adjuster at the other end of the shoes, but it wouldn't budge with a 12mm spanner (just a normal small combination spanner). There was no hint of movement at all (turning anti-clockwise). I left it midweek with a liberal dose of WD40 and will give it another go soon.
Some questions...
Should the adjuster unscrew completely, or does it reach an end stop where it doesn't back off any further?
Any thoughts on where I can get a 12mm brake adjuster spanner with a square opening? Something with a better fit and maybe more leverage might help. The local places don't have anything that size.
Is there a way to get the vehicle drivable, such that I can take it to a garage and get them to deal with it?
Cheers.
