Handbrake question - Imbalance ?

Hi

My old combo van just failed mot on imbalance on handbrake. It has drums on rear and an adjustment under van in the centre.

I have put rear on axle stands and one wheel is locked and the other can be moved by hand even with handbrake FULL on.

If i adjust cable under under van it will alter BOTH sides evenly....will this cause an imbalance ie the locked wheel will be braking/mor in contact at all time ?

I don't care if it does as long as it gets me through mot and the drum shoes will obviously wear.

I do not fancy messing with the drums/shoes/springs etc

Cheers

The only way of sorting it is to take the drums off and readjust the shoes, if you tighten the cable there is a good chance the good side will bind when the handbrake is off

Could also be an indication that the brake cylinder is going mate, or seized. ONLY way in my honest opinion is a strip down to see whats going on.... NEVER take chances with brakes ! Worse case, they fail.... or set alight while your driving = fail.

Was the imbalance only on the h/b or did it show on both the h/b and foot brake tests ?

Its only on handbrake. Pedal brakes are fine.

bilabonic said:

Its only on handbrake. Pedal brakes are fine.

Click to expand...

Still say strip down mate Adjuster might be seized.

Rs2k_Rider said:

Still say strip down mate Adjuster might be seized.

Click to expand...

ii like they say strip down but it shouldnt have failed on imbalance on rear foot or hand only fron is fail it may fail for not reach 16%

Well i adjusted the shoes they are now in contact with the drums, i thought they should adjust automatically ?

Anyone all working ok, but the cylinders look well extended so perhaps new shoes could be an option.

Cheers

you need to slacken the handbrake cable first then adjust your brake drums so they are just binding and then adjust your handbrake cable to about 3 or 4 notches. Please note though self adjusters can seize up or the teeth could strip on the mechanism. So take the drums of as stated in previous posts and check for wear properly.

As most have said, slacken hand brake cable and manually adjust them inside the drum. You should adjust them and keep trying to get drum back on. The drum should be able to spin with slight resistance then adjust cable back up to 3-6 notches. Thats how I have always done it anyways

The handbrake was released as i snapped the adjuster bar, nut was siezed. I had to cut it back and wels a new threaded bar on end..lol

All fine now, have not bled breaks though as it failed on spongy breaks as well.

Gonna take it back later and see if it passes.

i can picture black brake fluid there lol,giving brakes a good bleed with get rid of contaminated fluid and refilling with new stuff will make the brakes work better:Clap::Clap::Fish: