Handbrake still rubbish

[Sector-9]

Ok, this week I've replaced the shoes, discs, pads and handbrake compensator but the handbrake is still very poor. To be fair, it does work on the RH side wheel (badly, it'll hold the car but doesn't slow it much), but the LH side still doesn't seem to do much and never has. I've also noticed that there's very little cable movement at the compensator compared to the RH side - maybe half an inch, though both sides had their manual adjusters set so that the shoes were dragging a little before the lever adjustment was done.

Does anyone know which way around the shoe expander should be fitted? I fitted mine they same way around they came off but as I found the RH side shoes were on upside down I can't be sure they were correct to begin with. In fact if anyone has a picture of which way around the expander and manual adjuster should be for each side then that'd be great. I also suspect I'll need to slacken the lever adjustment right off and then check I can move the LH cable from the wheel end. Job for another day though as I'm back on night shift now.

[Stickman]

Send a pm to Steve (Arctic)
He's pretty much the handbrake god on here buddy
Regards
Chris

[Heddy]

A couple of pics in this post from Steve (Arctic)
https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...1&postcount=36

[Caskin]

Originally Posted by Sector-9

Ok, this week I've replaced the shoes, discs, pads and handbrake compensator but the handbrake is still very poor. To be fair, it does work on the RH side wheel (badly, it'll hold the car but doesn't slow it much), but the LH side still doesn't seem to do much and never has. I've also noticed that there's very little cable movement at the compensator compared to the RH side - maybe half an inch, though both sides had their manual adjusters set so that the shoes were dragging a little before the lever adjustment was done.

Does anyone know which way around the shoe expander should be fitted? I fitted mine they same way around they came off but as I found the RH side shoes were on upside down I can't be sure they were correct to begin with. In fact if anyone has a picture of which way around the expander and manual adjuster should be for each side then that'd be great. I also suspect I'll need to slacken the lever adjustment right off and then check I can move the LH cable from the wheel end. Job for another day though as I'm back on night shift now.

Im literally just in the porcess of doing mine.They were done 3 months ago by a Rover specialist but handbrake to me was rubbish.Having just got the calipers and disc off,the most obvious thing was that the original shoes I purchased "AUTOPART" are only HALF the thickness of the new recommended shoes PAGID that I am about to fit..it has to must make a huge difference to the adjustment,prior to compensator changes etc hope it helps Derek

[Sector-9]

Thanks guys; those photos are interesting in that the brake components are fitted the same way around (with respect to the shoes) on both sides - I'd have expected them to be a mirror image of each other (i.e. same way around with respect to the front of the car). I've a feeling mine are positioned the same but I'll whip the discs off tomorrow if not raining and have a check. I noticed when I got to work last night that both rear wheels were warm but the LH one more so, though returning home this morning they were both cooler and more even. I've a feeling my problems are to do with the LH side expander unless the cable is seized.

[Caskin]

Originally Posted by Sector-9

Thanks guys; those photos are interesting in that the brake components are fitted the same way around (with respect to the shoes) on both sides - I'd have expected them to be a mirror image of each other (i.e. same way around with respect to the front of the car). I've a feeling mine are positioned the same but I'll whip the discs off tomorrow if not raining and have a check. I noticed when I got to work last night that both rear wheels were warm but the LH one more so, though returning home this morning they were both cooler and more even. I've a feeling my problems are to do with the LH side expander unless the cable is seized.

If you look at Steves supplied photos you can see both expanders are opposite to each other,note the shock absorber position in each picture....did mine today and came across same problem,thanks to you and Steve problem solved

[simondhopkins]

Make sure the cables from the compensator to the shoes actually moves, mine was sized. Its no good just to push it a bit, disconnect from compensator and shoe and check for free movement.

[Arctic]

HI Derek
If you look closely the back plate as the letters L & R on them to indicate which side of the car is being referenced to also

[suffolk boy]

Originally Posted by Caskin

Im literally just in the porcess of doing mine.They were done 3 months ago by a Rover specialist but handbrake to me was rubbish.Having just got the calipers and disc off,the most obvious thing was that the original shoes I purchased "AUTOPART" are only HALF the thickness of the new recommended shoes PAGID that I am about to fit..it has to must make a huge difference to the adjustment,prior to compensator changes etc hope it helps Derek

you may find the thickness of the pagid shoes a problem.i did .the hub would not fit back on.

[Caskin]

Originally Posted by suffolk boy

you may find the thickness of the pagid shoes a problem.i did .the hub would not fit back on.

Hi Thanks for info,was that on a MK1 R75,as members who have recomended them have quoted no faults whatsoever....would hate to replace only to have to do it all over again!!!
What I would say that with the original new shoes AUTOPART fitted,and slightly adjusted up,the discs just slid off,making me feel shoes were too thin??Any advice please