Handbrake Adjustment

[Jeff K]

Is there a PDF or link to a guide for Handbrake Adjustment?

It feels like proper tension when I pull up the handbrake, but it only works a little bit, not allowing the car to roll on anything but a almost totally flat surface.

Side note... I leave the car in gear (5 speed) and it occasionally rolls too! I hope that's not a clutch. Weird it's only like one in ten times it does this.

Thanks!
Jeff

[Chris4099]

Here's my process:

With the front wheels blocked to prevent rolling,
Jack up the rear of the car and remove the rear wheels.
Put the D in neutral and disengage the parking brake.
On the caliper, find the large screw with a carter pin that prevents it from turning.
Remove the carter pin.
Use a large screwdriver to tighten the screw while turning the rotor by hand.
Once you can't turn the rotor, back off the screw just enough so it lines up with the carter pin holes and the rotor turns freely.
Reinstall the carter pin.
Repeat on the other side.

This adjusts the pads to be as close to the rotor as possible without actually applying any pressure when the brake is off.

[Jeff K]

Here's my process:

With the front wheels blocked to prevent rolling,
Jack up the rear of the car and remove the rear wheels.
Put the D in neutral and disengage the parking brake.
On the caliper, find the large screw with a carter pin that prevents it from turning.
Remove the carter pin.
Use a large screwdriver to tighten the screw while turning the rotor by hand.
Once you can't turn the rotor, back off the screw just enough so it lines up with the carter pin holes and the rotor turns freely.
Reinstall the carter pin.
Repeat on the other side.

This adjusts the pads to be as close to the rotor as possible without actually applying any pressure when the brake is off.

Excellent, thank you! I'm doing it this weekend.

[JIMJAM]

I have adjusted,replaced my E brake many times and have very little trust in it.
Go to a Pepsboys or other and spend a few bucks on a plastic wheel chock.
I also put mine in gear but having that insurance thats only a few bucks that the car is not going to roll off is priceless.
Btw- My issue was I was manhandling that brake and actually bent the bracket. Able to flex, the weakened metal simply bent the more I pulled the handle up. Now I count the clicks,put it in gear and toss the block under the wheel. And I live in a area thats very flat!

[David T]

Never drive without an Emergency brake that you can trust. One day you might really need it. You might find it will take several adjustments to get it good. Make sure both wheels are even. One test is to go about 20 MPH on gravel and jerk the handle to lock the wheels. Then you look at the gravel and see which one stopped first. When you are done the pads should not be dragging when the E-Brake is all the way off or you will wear them out. Also make sure the warning light works so you do not drive with the brake on. Make sure each cable also moves freely. Can't hurt to lubricate them too.
David Teitelbaum