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 Handbrake set up 
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Firing on two.
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Joined: February 11th, 2009, 12:32 am
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Location: Chichester, West Sussex
Post Handbrake set up
Any tips for setting up the handbrake? (Disc). I put new pads in today and just need to adjust everything correctly - any tips?

Out of interest, given the pads aren't attached to the actuating 'arms' what releases the handbrake from the discs?


April 6th, 2014, 1:30 am
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Firing on two.
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Joined: October 5th, 2009, 8:22 pm
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Location: Stone, Staffs
Post Re: Handbrake set up
Ah - welcome to the dark side Luke!
The pads need to be fitted so they sit correctly in the holders with the spring holding them back parallel to the disc rather than pushing them onto the disc at an angle - I know that sounds pants but once you've got them in the slot well, you know its right...
Once they are seated properly you then adjust the eccentrics so that they hold the car on the third ratchet of the hand brake - you move both so they grip the disc just when in the release position and then when pulled on should stop fully the disc...or something like this....

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April 6th, 2014, 2:38 am
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Firing on two.

Joined: April 22nd, 2009, 11:06 pm
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Location: Ecosse
Post Re: Handbrake set up
Sam front up on axle stands fit all the bits. Set the cables so the atms just touch the stops check the wheels turn with minimum drag. Pull the handbrake lever 3 clicks then turn eccentrics so that the pads just drag the disks and you feel some resistance at the wheels. Handbrake will now be fully on by 5 clicks and should be drag free released. You may have to go back and re visit the eccentrics to get it right, remember as with the rears the 2eccentrics per brake rotate oposite directions (imaginary spanner horizontal adjust it upwards)

More than one way to skin a cat but that saves faffing with feeler gauges

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April 6th, 2014, 9:52 am
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Firing on two.
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Joined: February 11th, 2009, 12:32 am
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Location: Chichester, West Sussex
Post Re: Handbrake set up
Splendid. Genuine parisian advice :)

Cheers chaps, fingers crossed for today.


April 6th, 2014, 10:59 am
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Joined: March 6th, 2009, 1:40 am
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Post Re: Handbrake set up
Sam,
how are the discs? If they've got a pronounced lip at the outer edge, it's worth removing that before fitting new handbrake pads, since the contact point of the handbrake pads on the discs is further out than that of the main pads.

If you fit new handbrake pads to worn discs, the pads will soon be chamfered away at the edges, needing re-adjustment in a short time.
I use a flap disc in an angle grinder, with the car on axle stands and the engine running in 1st gear, but there is probably a safer approach... :roll:

Btw, it's the inevitable slight eccentricity of the disc which 'knocks back' the handbrake pads out of contact with the disc.
That's why those little springs are there, to keep the handbrake pads out of contact once they've been pushed back by rotation of the disc.

Also, as a check on correct adjutment of the eccentrics, just look as the position of each operating lever with the handbrake 'on'.
All four levers should sit with similar gaps between them and their stops, usually about 3 or 4 mm.

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April 6th, 2014, 12:11 pm
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Firing on two.
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Joined: October 5th, 2009, 8:22 pm
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Location: Stone, Staffs
Post Re: Handbrake set up
It's also a little safer than running the car on axle stands to buy new discs! They are not very expensive on fleabay and don't half improve the braking effect.......

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1966 Ami Break


April 6th, 2014, 1:14 pm
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