Poor handbrake

[Terranical]

Due to a very poor handbrake on my '94 T2 (wouldn't hold the car on even a slight incline) I had a local garage here in Spain have a look at it, as I don't have the facilities for wheel removal. They replaced the rear wheel cylinders at great cost, and the handbrake is still c**p.
Now it's my understanding that the handbrake is purely mechanical i.e. no hydraulics - just a cable which rotates a cam of some description, spreading the shoes, and an auto-adjust mechanism which compensates for wear on the shoes, so the wheel cylinders would have no effect on the handbrake.
Have I got this completely wrong, or has the garage cocked up (due to my lack of Spanish and their lack of English it's possible that they misinterpreted what I stated the problem to be, I have used them several times in the past and found them honest and knowledgeable, but now I am starting to wonder!

 

[TONUP]

I think the handbrake is mechanical so that it doesn't fail even if the hydraulic system does. When I was lying under the car changing the exhaust recently I am sure I saw a cable that splits into to two somewhere about the middle.

I cant remember if it was adjustable there or within the car though.

Regards

Alan

 

[rustic]

Due to a very poor handbrake on my '94 T2 (wouldn't hold the car on even a slight incline) I had a local garage here in Spain have a look at it, as I don't have the facilities for wheel removal. They replaced the rear wheel cylinders at great cost, and the handbrake is still c**p.
Now it's my understanding that the handbrake is purely mechanical i.e. no hydraulics - just a cable which rotates a cam of some description, spreading the shoes, and an auto-adjust mechanism which compensates for wear on the shoes, so the wheel cylinders would have no effect on the handbrake.
Have I got this completely wrong, or has the garage cocked up (due to my lack of Spanish and their lack of English it's possible that they misinterpreted what I stated the problem to be, I have used them several times in the past and found them honest and knowledgeable, but now I am starting to wonder!

We have a workshop download

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/downloads/workshop/wk21.pdf

This seems to explain everything.

The automatic brake adjuster just don't work, and I adjust them at the wheel twice a year.
My handbrake now easily holds a 2 tonne boat and trailer with the Mav on a slip way.

Best regards, Rustic

 

[Terranical]

We have a workshop download

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/downloads/workshop/wk21.pdf

This seems to explain everything.

The automatic brake adjuster just don't work, and I adjust them at the wheel twice a year.
My handbrake now easily holds a 2 tonne boat and trailer with the Mav on a slip way.

Best regards, Rustic

Hi Rustic
Thanks for that, as I suspected the garage cocked up! Unfortunately I am still in their hands as I don't have a trolley jack, axle stands or a level area to work in, here in Spain. They have the car at the moment, I just needed confirmation that they were barking up the wrong tree by changing the wheel cylinders, however it may be just that I didn't make it clear exactly what the problem was.
Bruce

 

[rustic]

Hi Rustic
Thanks for that, as I suspected the garage cocked up! Unfortunately I am still in their hands as I don't have a trolley jack, axle stands or a level area to work in, here in Spain. They have the car at the moment, I just needed confirmation that they were barking up the wrong tree by changing the wheel cylinders, however it may be just that I didn't make it clear exactly what the problem was.
Bruce

Hi Bruce, if you can print this off and explain to him as best you can.
For the cost of a trolley jack a pair of axle stands and a 10mm spanner, it could be a good investment as you could be doing this regularly.
I certainly do mine a week before the MOT :thumb2

If you over compensate, one drum could be running a little warm, so do check them.
The real secret of adjusting the handbrake, is to slacken the cable to the handbrake first, then do all the adjustment at the wheel. then adjust the cable after. There is a compensator under the vehicle just behind the handbrake that has one cable in, and 2 out, for each rear wheel.
There is no adjustment here, but there could be a slight difference in the cable lengths due to stretch or wear.

Good luck,
best regards,
Richard ( Rustic).

 

[CaptLimey]

Hi Terranical

One of the frequent causes of poor handbrake function on a T2 of your vintage is seized cables. The hydraulic wheel cylinders have no effect on the operation of the handbrake. It operates mechanically (not hydraulically) by actuating a cam to force the rear brake shoes apart thereby applying pressure on to the rear drum. If the operating cables are seized they cannot actuate the cam. This no matter how well they appear to be adjusted at the brake drum and I agree the auto-adjuster is not the most efficient piece of machinery!

I had this problem on my earlier ('96) T2 and whilst you can remove them and soak them in penetrating fluid to free them, I found it more worthwhile, practically and financially, to replace them with new ones.

Good luck, rgds CL

 

[96terrano]

I think you can adjust it at the handbrake lever

 

[solarman216]

I think you can adjust it at the handbrake lever

you can but not to be advised, all HB adjustment should be done at the shoes, as the auto adjuster does not work, on the back plate is a rubber push button to the rear of the cable entry, with the HB on you will be able to push this in, with the HB off it should be fully out as the inside part is the stop for the lever in the off position dont know if this applies to all models but it certainly does on the Mav as I have one here at the mo for exactly that repair, Rick