Handbrake problems!

Singvogel · Dec 21, 2012

A month ago I fitted new Mintex rear brake-shoes.

Now I find that the handbrake is locking the off-side rear wheel if I pull it on when the wheels are still turning, and wont realease again to go forward.

At a downhill facing stop sign where you often have to wait a while for a gap in traffic, I pulled up the lever as I gently moved forward to be next in the queue.

Rear wheel locked solid - had to reverse a fraction before it released.

I've checked this several times on level ground at much less than walking pace. Doesn't do it everytime but it's unpredictable. 3 times out of 4 it won't release.

Edges of the linings are slightly chamfered, shoes are adjusted to feather-touch the drums. I'm sure they have bedded in and there are no lips or scoring on the drums.

Tried the 'stamp on the footbrake' several times procedure to make sure the auto-adjusters are fully up. Handbrake comes up 5 notches, but wheels are both solid at 2 notches.

Anyone else had this fault?
Any ideas how to fix it?

I'm puzzled.

Singvogel.

Freelaner · Dec 21, 2012

could be one of your cables is binding, how old are they?

Singvogel · Dec 21, 2012

Freelaner said:
could be one of your cables is binding, how old are they?

Cables are originals - but they are free - I checked them when I fitted the shoes - the problem is inside the drum I feel.

I'm going to get it on a ramp with all wheels off the ground during the hols.

I'd like to see from underneath what happens when it's free-wheeling and the handbrake is pulled up.

Diesel Do · Dec 21, 2012

Are you sure a lining hasn't come loose or something in the drum?

mickymck · Dec 21, 2012

Singvogel said:
A month ago I fitted new Mintex rear brake-shoes.

Now I find that the handbrake is locking the off-side rear wheel if I pull it on when the wheels are still turning, and wont realease again to go forward.

At a downhill facing stop sign where you often have to wait a while for a gap in traffic, I pulled up the lever as I gently moved forward to be next in the queue.

Rear wheel locked solid - had to reverse a fraction before it released.

I've checked this several times on level ground at much less than walking pace. Doesn't do it everytime but it's unpredictable. 3 times out of 4 it won't release.

Edges of the linings are slightly chamfered, shoes are adjusted to feather-touch the drums. I'm sure they have bedded in and there are no lips or scoring on the drums.

Tried the 'stamp on the footbrake' several times procedure to make sure the auto-adjusters are fully up. Handbrake comes up 5 notches, but wheels are both solid at 2 notches.

Anyone else had this fault?
Any ideas how to fix it?

I'm puzzled.

Singvogel.[/quote

weak return springs maybe

freelance · Dec 21, 2012

is the handbrake linkage free inside the drum? tis the usual culprit or perhaps the drums are worn out, there is a max measurement stamped on them.

Singvogel · Dec 21, 2012

Thanks for the replies so far - keep them coming.

I'll be following up all your advice / suggestions when I get it on a hoist some day next week.

SV.

Diesel Do · Dec 21, 2012

Singvogel said:
Thanks for the replies so far - keep them coming.

I'll be following up all your advice / suggestions when I get it on a hoist some day next week.

SV.

Tuesday sounds like a good day!

DD3 · Dec 21, 2012

Diesel Do said:
Tuesday sounds like a good day!

It will be the pivot sticking on the actuating mechanism within the drum. I has to be able to move freely!

Diesel Do · Dec 21, 2012

DD3 said:
It will be the pivot sticking on the actuating mechanism within the drum. I has to be able to move freely!

It's cos it's Christmas! Bah humbug!

Davidspect · Dec 21, 2012

but wheels are both solid at 2 notches

Sounds like you adjusted the brakes up to far before the auto adjusters did their thing and the leading edge is grabbing. Back the adjusters off, give the cable a bit more slack and don't try to feather touch them before the auto adjuster take up their play.

Singvogel · Dec 21, 2012

Diesel Do said:
Tuesday sounds like a good day!

Naw - for Toosday I've alrady got something pencilled in -

Turkey Pot-Noodle
Boiled Rice and a Fruit Gum
Chewing-Gum and Prunes
Instant Xmas Pud (Thai Red Curry flavour)

SV.

Singvogel · Dec 21, 2012

Davidspect said:
Sounds like you adjusted the brakes up to far before the auto adjusters did their thing and the leading edge is grabbing. Back the adjusters off, give the cable a bit more slack and don't try to feather touch them before the auto adjuster take up their play.

Thanks for that David.

The leading edge grabbing sounds a highly likely cause.

I'll do as you suggest.

It's been years since I replaced brake-shoes and they didn't have these self adjusters.

I didn't realise the order was so important.

SV.

Irishrover · Dec 22, 2012

Have been followng this post with interest. When I picked up the TD4 a couple of weeks ago, the handbrake had only 2 notches. I backed the adjuster nut off at the lever until I had 5 notches. The cable feels free and the brakes are not binding when released. When the hanbrake is released, the lever feels "Slack" at the bottom half of it's travel and sometimes the warning lamp illuminates until I give the lever a little "Jiggle"..it then stays out.
I am due to remove the drums shortly to inspect/clean the rear brakes-did your drums come off easily or did you have to back off the self adjust mechanism ??
Best wishes to everyone for Christmas & the New Year :lvkiss-106::5bparty:

bruno1926 · Dec 22, 2012

Singvogel said:
Thanks for that David.

The leading edge grabbing sounds a highly likely cause.

I'll do as you suggest.

It's been years since I replaced brake-shoes and they didn't have these self adjusters.

I didn't realise the order was so important.

SV.

You adjust the auto adjusters up before replacing the drums but not too much (its trial and error) then when both sides have been done stamp on the pedal a few times this brings the auto adjusters up as they should be then adjust the handbrake this should give a good pedal and a working handbrake adjusted to around 4-6 clicks . If not done like this the handbrake pulls the shoes onto the drum then the adjusters take up the slack when the pedal is pushed or something like that

Singvogel · Dec 22, 2012

Irishrover said:
I am due to remove the drums shortly to inspect/clean the rear brakes-did your drums come off easily or did you have to back off the self adjust mechanism ??

I had to back off the adjusters a little, because they refused to come off due to the old shoes de-laminating, or so I thought.

When I did get the drums off I realised it was was a narrow line of corrosion on the inner edges which was stopping them coming off.

It was easy to sand the corrosion off and now the drums slip on and off easily.

I'll be taking them off again to check inside soon, before I go through the adjusting procedure carefully - as per the advise received so far.

Singvogel.

Davidspect · Dec 22, 2012

did you have to back off the self adjust mechanism ??

You have little to no chance off getting the drums off without backing off the adjusters unless the drums are brand new. Its not difficult to back them off, just turn them in the right direction.

teddywood1 · Dec 22, 2012

when you take them off soon SV put some new springs on they are probably a bit worn now the old ones

Handbrake problems!

Singvogel

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Freelaner

Landy Driver

Singvogel

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Diesel Do

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mickymck

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freelance

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Singvogel

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Diesel Do

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DD3

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Diesel Do

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Davidspect

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Singvogel

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Singvogel

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Irishrover

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bruno1926

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Singvogel

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teddywood1

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