Esprit S2 handbrake adjustment

[Daniel]

One of my calipers is ineffective when using the handbrake and having exposed the cable adjuster and compensator, something doesn't seem right.

As you can see in the image, both cables (excellent condition) are adjusted fairly evenly but the self adjuster is on the cock, which I'm assuming should be straight (both pins lining up vertically.

Calipers appear in good order (rebuilt last year) and the pads are evenly worn.

Can anyone tell me what's wrong and how I adjust so that both calipers operate equally?

[Daniel]

The only way I can get (or the only way I appear to be able) the compensator equal is by winding one cable right in and one right out, but then it's too slack and there's very little thread to tighten...... I must be doing something wrong.

[peteyg]

That job is a dark art! I have to do it by trial and error everytime as I never remember which way tightens and which way loosens the cable. I seem to recall the answer is counter intuitive. My compensator to offset too if that helps but not as much as yours...

Pete

[molemot]

It is likely that the caliper self adjusting mechanism is only working on one caliper. Other than that thought....!! Only thing to do is to get at the calipers and see how they compare.

[Daniel]

Would that not result in uneven braking? The MOT station reported that the foot operated brakes were fine.

[peteyg]

Different systems. Foot brake is hydraulic, handbrake is mechanical. Hydraulics might be perfect but one of the handbrake mechanisms might be shot. I had this problem which turned out to be a knackered cable so only had handbrake on 1 caliper. That was fine as far as the car was concerned but still an MOT fail.

Pete

[andydclements]

Some times you can find that adjusting the cable to get some sort of parking/emergency brake can make it worse, the ratchet systems often need a bit of slack in order to start to move, so when you do sort it (I suspect John is right) make sure to adjust to the manual's instructions.

[Daniel]

Does anyone have a copy of the manual's instructions?

[Daniel]

Appears like the handbrake mech on my OSR caliper is buggered. It's stiff and won't return and it's a sealed unit and won't free up.

Might replace the pair of them with the PNM upgrade.

[Paul Coleman]

I don't remember my S1 ones being sealed? Pretty sure I had them apart but it was a long time ago!

[molemot]

They do come apart...but you can generally free them up by using WD40 or similar (Plusgas etc.) and wanking them back and forth. Need to get a "willing" volunteer to sit inside and yank on the handbrake...whilst you lever the operating lever on the caliper mechanism. If you remove the return spring, then the spindle of the mechanism will move in and out of the caliper a bit, as well as rotating, which helps the squirty get where it's needed...mucho squirto and heavey heavey and it should free up. The lever has to return to the "off" position for the self adjusters to work... Once all is free and working smoothly, you may have to dismantle the calipers and rotate the pistons and push them back, as all that operating may well have resulted in them being hard on!! A bit of copper grease around the spindle and return spring helps to keep the road muck out and inhibit further corrosion and sticking.  If you need to dismantle the handbrake mechanism from the caliper, the manual says you mustn't....but I have, several times. Need to be scrupulously clean and be prepared for all the fluid to run out....and even then, you can't really do much more than free it all up, same as if you were underneath doing it....although it is a lot more comfortable to have the unit held carefully in a vice and not be laying in the floormuck!!

As has been said, the cables are also a likely cause of the whole system sticking. The plastic sheathing cracks and falls off and then the cable inner rusts to the cable outer....happy days.....

Best to sort out the true cause of the problem before laying out money on parts....

[Bibs]

 

[TAR]

He is just so... eloquent.

 

[Daniel]

I tried sorting the problem and spent a good hour with the calliper off 'wanking' it back and forth frequently with mucho squirts with WD40....... It got a bit looser after lots of heavy heavy but not enough to return of its own accord.

Both cables are nice and free.

As wanking goes..... I've had better experiences..... But then I am 44 so squirts aren't so mucho nowadays and if I get too heavy heavy, it plays havoc with my shoulder.

[molemot]

Did you take the return spring off? That definitely helps to get the bits moving in and out and the Magic Fluid into the works...there is a rubber seal which is supposed to keep the water etc. out of the spindle and bearing, but fails miserably.  In the end, perseverance should work...I remember it took quite a bit of that the first time I did it! I understand about shoulders, having managed to dislocate both of mine....

[Daniel]

Well, to my surprise the mucho mucho heavy wanking approach worked. After leaving the mechanism soaking in WD40 for 24 hours it eventually freed enough to comfortably return of its own accord.

Re-fitted and adjusted and all seems well.

Can't help but think I'll be replacing them eventually though as both calipers were rebuilt just over 12 months ago.

[andydclements]

Use of rubber grease behind the dust seal is a good way to help keep things moving for a little longer.