Horrible Handbrake

Has anyone else got the problem of a dead feeling handbrake? I think its due to the silly little pivot that attaches the cable to the bottom lever that is sticking. This unfortunately causes the handbrake not to return properly hence feeling a lot of slack when pulling the lever. Been lubed and freed a couple of times, just wonder if this is a common prob on the FL. (2001 TD4)

I think the whole handbrake arrangement is very poor:-

The pivot lever on the lower brake shoe where the cable end attaches - sticks,
the tang on the shoe breaks off easily so the cable spring contacts the rotating hub,
the cable entry point in the hub doesn't seal properly
the self adjuster mechanism fails easily
the replacement cables - particularly on VIN 1A (late 2000) must be the dearest on the planet

I just done mine and found the wrong cables had been fitted - someone had gone by model year not VIN - there is confusion between 2000 to 2001

Drum brakes are the Devils Hobby

I'll tackle it tomorrow then armed with a blob or two of copper grease.

Never had any issues with HB, mine was recalled back in 2001, the handbrake lever fitted was chunkier than the first one

I think your gonna need new cables as well as lubing all the pivots etc

This one has the chunky hand lever. I had to free the mechanism off last week after three months of sorn (with the brake off) but it was just a quick squirt of WD and worked back and forth just to get the car going but I'll do it properly in the next couple of days. It's always felt strange this handbrake yet always passes the MOT.

Sorted. It was the pivot on the lower lever. Took it off, copper greased it and spun it round a few times but still a bit resistant. The whole rivet was turning so out came the blow torch, heated it, cleaned off all the gunge and it now spins round as free as you like. Did the other side too after giving it a clean with brake cleaner - Tip - don't stick a blow torch anywhere near where you have just sprayed brake cleaner. :flame2: