Hi Folks,
Last year the handbrake cable snapped outside the O/S hub. When the garage fixed it at the MOT they found both cylinders were starting to leak so the van got the rear brakes fully replaced- well- shoes, spring kit, cylinders, new handbrake cable.
Since then the van has done just 3,600 miles, but since the summer the handbrake cable seems to have stretched or something as it's now at it's maximum number of clicks (13?) and barely gripping. I put it in for a pre Mot as last years bill was a horror story in the end, and they said that the brakes needed stripped cleaned and adjusted....in 3,600 miles when I rarely use the handbrake it's normally left in gear as drum brakes and damp usually lead to seized on handbrake....
I was none too happy and asked why this was but they said they need to strip them and have a look (kerrr- ching goes the till again)...very vague.
Is the handbrake on this model only adjustable from under the brake in the cab? I've a gut feeling that there's a problem with the adjuster strut which is not self adjusting and/or the adjuster strut needs cleaned and manually reset to get the shoes almost in contact with the drum?
I don't think this is a hub nut removal to get the drums off think it's just a retaining screw and wrestling match but I'm tempted to have a look myself. The van is currently up on blocks as I await auto-doc.uk getting the new discs and pads to fit myself...
( I don't know why I still put any faith in this garage- after last year when I popped the bonnet I found a pry screwdriver in there and a black cap, the cap belonged to the top of the new suspension strut as it enters the engine bay, the nut of which was on finger tight.... This is why I want a look in there myself- I replaced the brakes on my old combo B but that was 10 yrs ago)
Last year the handbrake cable snapped outside the O/S hub. When the garage fixed it at the MOT they found both cylinders were starting to leak so the van got the rear brakes fully replaced- well- shoes, spring kit, cylinders, new handbrake cable.
Since then the van has done just 3,600 miles, but since the summer the handbrake cable seems to have stretched or something as it's now at it's maximum number of clicks (13?) and barely gripping. I put it in for a pre Mot as last years bill was a horror story in the end, and they said that the brakes needed stripped cleaned and adjusted....in 3,600 miles when I rarely use the handbrake it's normally left in gear as drum brakes and damp usually lead to seized on handbrake....
I was none too happy and asked why this was but they said they need to strip them and have a look (kerrr- ching goes the till again)...very vague.
Is the handbrake on this model only adjustable from under the brake in the cab? I've a gut feeling that there's a problem with the adjuster strut which is not self adjusting and/or the adjuster strut needs cleaned and manually reset to get the shoes almost in contact with the drum?
I don't think this is a hub nut removal to get the drums off think it's just a retaining screw and wrestling match but I'm tempted to have a look myself. The van is currently up on blocks as I await auto-doc.uk getting the new discs and pads to fit myself...
( I don't know why I still put any faith in this garage- after last year when I popped the bonnet I found a pry screwdriver in there and a black cap, the cap belonged to the top of the new suspension strut as it enters the engine bay, the nut of which was on finger tight.... This is why I want a look in there myself- I replaced the brakes on my old combo B but that was 10 yrs ago)
