Wrong handbrake cable fitted?

[red vtec]

Please bear with my thread:

I have just been trying to sort my handbrake out as I had not reconnected it after replacing my calipers. When I took the cover off to allow me to get to the adjustment in the cabin I noticed that the Drivers side cable was not connected. I have reconnected this with the pin and split pin that I found rolling about!

Anyway I have connected up and adjusted the Passanger side and that is fine. However the Drivers side appears to be to short even on full adjustment. (is full slack adjustment of the cable so that the brass threaded barrel is towards the front of the car? I cannot work out how the adjusters work, as they just move the sleeving?) I have also noticed that the drivers side cable has a coating on it, where as the passanger side is plain. Have I got the incorrect cable fitted hence the reason The PO had it disconnected??? and the reason the rear calipers were shot

Mine is a 1988 Esprit Turbo (Stevens) with Bendix calipers

Thanks for the help in advance.

[andydclements]

Any chance of some pics of the cables, at the handbrake end?

it may help

[red vtec]

Hi I'll take a couple of pics tomorrow . thanks

[red vtec]

Here are a couple of pics hope they show. the bottom cable is the drivers side and it is coated the top one is the passanger side and it is plain. The drivers side was disconnected at the handbrake end.

[andydclements]

First thing, yes you're right about the adjustment method & direction.

You say the cable is too short, then mention the adjuster only moving the sleeving, does that mean the inner cable is simply too short to get to the calliper? Because the adjustment simply has the effect of lengthening / shortening the effective length of the outer sheath, so leaving less or more inner cable protruding.

Is the cable in the calliper at the back at the moment?

(assuming it isn't)

How far can you move the calliper arm in order to attempt to put the cable in ? (should be 45 to60 degrees approx)

If you cannot do this, could you manage it if you temporarily remove the pads, then wind the piston back in a bit?

Would that give sufficient free inner cable to have the cable fitted at both ends.

Please excuse this question.

You are trying to fit the cable with the handbrake lever in the off position aren't you?

Andy

[red vtec]

Thanks for the reply

I'm just confused how the adjuster works out of interest as logically it just seems to move the sleeving or maybe thats just me

The cable is not in the caliper as it is about a centimeter to short to allow this if I put it in and then connect the handbrake end it will close the caliper up and bind. I.e the caliper arm is therefore in its fully off position, the caliper arm moves correctly as they are refurbed calipers

Trouble is if I remove the pads the cable will just pull the caliper on if i connect it and the brakes will bind whilst driving and shag the caliper again

yep the handbrake is in the off position

The reason I think its the wrong cable is due to it having been disconnected in the cabin. when I looked at it.

does any of this make sense? its hard explaining it on here.

[andydclements]

Yes it makes sense.

I suspect it could be the wrong cable.

Yes, the adjustment mechanism just moves the sheath, but that means the amount of inner available outside the sheath at the rear is less, that is the adjustment.

There is one thing I've not thought to ask before, is the cable outer fully in the guides in the cabin and at the calliper? To make sure for the cabin, secure the inner at the caliepr end using a vice grip , then gently appply the hand brake, if the cable moves into the adjuster then it may give you enough extra inner. (also check there's no additional spacer ben put in either end first.

For the calliper end, grip the outer using vice grips and try and force it in further.

If this fails to yeild anything then.....

You have 2 ways forward.

1)New cable, seems pointless if it's a relatively new cable (OK it may be the wrong cable, but it's new, close, and in place)

2) cut 10mm- 15mm or so from the outer sheath at the calliper end (or cabin end if it's easier), use something like a mini grinder or something, it's a wound steel sheath normally, like a spring. It should then give you enough to fit, and leave the correct free play at the calliper end of the cable.

Personally I'd go for no 2, it is a bit of work, but less than having to replace the cable, and it's a no-cost option.

Andy

[red vtec]

sorry just come back to this thread as i am sorting it for the MOT. Should have thanked you for the reply!! sorry

It looks like I have the wrong cable fitted as it is about an inch shorter than the passenger side also it is coated and the ends are smaller, therefore I think it is the wrong cable. Is the one fitted to later cars shorter ? as I'm just interested if the PO fitted the wrong part.

Edited May 18, 2008 by red vtec