Probem with handbrake lever not dropping fully

Hi All

I recently have found that when I release the handbrake the lever does not pull down fully leaving the warning light illuminated until I physicaly push the lever down the last two inches.

It flops around with no resistance over that height.

It is possibe that the shoes are nearly worn out, not that I have any probem with the brake itself (though I have pulled of in bottom box recently with the handbrake applied whilt towing swambos 88 project).

I am just wondering whether there is some sort of return spring like on the old series that may have failed.

Anyone got any clues what to look for?

sounds like you need to check your shoes and adjust the linkage.

What model?
Is it lt77 or r380
If it's lt77 the cable goes to a link then on into drum backplate, slipper pads get dirty and old grease hardens, a strip down might show more
R380s from 300 Tdi onwards and on current Tdci run a cable straight into back plate
Adjustment at lever and backplate might help but I would suspect frayed cable jamming up
Again a strip down will help visualise the prob

Its a 2006 TD5 with R380. The latter onlly replaced by Land Rover within the last year.

KillaJoules said:

Its a 2006 TD5 with R380. The latter onlly replaced by Land Rover within the last year.

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cable is adjustable just behind lever bracket its easier to unbolt lever bracket from seat box and pull cable through to adjust it

Ahhh, interesting, my td5 has been doing this since I got her but it hasn't bothered me, just thought it was yet another landrover foible. Now I'm going to have to get underneath and have a look!!

jamesmartin said:

cable is adjustable just behind lever bracket its easier to unbolt lever bracket from seat box and pull cable through to adjust it

Click to expand...

Yep try the adjustment at cable
It really is simple to undo that lever as jamesmartin says...
Adjust it and don't forget to adjust on handbrake backplate if required

Would have said crap in the expander not slowing to contract fully. but knowing joules 110 it's not likely to be covered in crud.

Cheeky bugger!

Think I need a new cable, so will order one up. Pity I only realised today as I have a paddocks order due to replace the disco rear brakes

I've heard that the cheap (£15ish) ones are a bit of a gamble. Unfortunately genuine is in the region of £70!!

Lift a rear wheel off ground (use chocks on front). Handbrake off, adjust drum using bolt until it locks then undo a turn or so until drum moves freely (lifted rear wheel will also turn. Adjust cable so on click 2 it is still free but on click 3 it is on.

Kwakerman said:

I've heard that the cheap (£15ish) ones are a bit of a gamble. Unfortunately genuine is in the region of £70!!

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Lol, yes I rang Stratstone in Aylesbury, £70 plus vat. So I am getting one delivered from paddocks tomorrow morning for £15

A brief investigation of the hand brake lever end of the cable seems fine. Will have crawl underneath tomorrow, probably time to check the shoes.

Hmm wonder if the wife would notice if I got an x-trek disk brake

KillaJoules said:

A brief investigation of the hand brake lever end of the cable seems fine. Will have crawl underneath tomorrow, probably time to check the shoes.

Hmm wonder if the wife would notice if I got an x-trek disk brake

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No she wouldn't, she doesn't see them bits so won't understand the difference.

armourermark said:

Ahhh, interesting, my td5 has been doing this since I got her but it hasn't bothered me, just thought it was yet another landrover foible. Now I'm going to have to get underneath and have a look!!

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Mine does this, hasn't bothered me either, unfortunately, me getting underneath doesn't do anything cause I haven't a scoobies at what I'm looking at!

laracroft said:

Mine does this, hasn't bothered me either, unfortunately, me getting underneath doesn't do anything cause I haven't a scoobies at what I'm looking at!

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you dont need to get underneath hand brake cable adjusters behind lever which unbolts from seat box

KillaJoules said:

A brief investigation of the hand brake lever end of the cable seems fine. Will have crawl underneath tomorrow, probably time to check the shoes.

Hmm wonder if the wife would notice if I got an x-trek disk brake

Click to expand...

Save yourself £200 and drill some holes to throw the muck out mine has holes drilled and if it gives bother jet wash it and a quick application of the hand brake and its good again. Only ever an issue if you get crud in the expander or love deep deep water

Had a go last Friday lunch time and got Lever off and did it up some. I need to do it a bit more.

Probably best to do the adjuster too but was too busy over the weekend to look at it.

I actually got defenderdog to replace the rear brake disks and calipers and service the wife's d1 on Monday

I shall be helping stutab this weekend with his RRC rebuild so will probably have a quick crawl under 110 then

KillaJoules said:

Had a go last Friday lunch time and got Lever off and did it up some. I need to do it a bit more.

Probably best to do the adjuster too but was too busy over the weekend to look at it.

I actually got defenderdog to replace the rear brake disks and calipers and service the wife's d1 on Monday

I shall be helping stutab this weekend with his RRC rebuild so will probably have a quick crawl under 110 then

Click to expand...

if lever wont sit down fully either cable is too long or expander is stuck on in which case shoes will rub on drum, though you should normally adjust brakes on adjuster first especially if lever travel is excessive