406 hdi 90 drum brake fault

[eoin27]

Hello, I'm relatively new here. My puggy pug's brakes are fecked at the back i think
The symptoms are:
- Handbrake going all the way to the top with little pressure
- I can drive freely around with the handbrake on, with just a small bit of effect
- There's a strange dragging sound coming from the back
- I really have to press the brakes hard to get some effect. Feels like the front ones are working

Anyone have any tips for me? I love my 406 so much but its breaking my heart. Unrequited love for you eh?

[old codger]

Have you tried adjusting them up? or had the drums off to have a look?

self adjusters could be broken/seized or shoes worn down

[teamster1975]

Would it be drum rears on a HDI?
I had similar symptoms and the handbrake shoes had disintegrated; the friction material had actually come off the shoe and was flapping around inside the drum. Would be worth checking that out.

[eoin27]

I had similar symptoms and the handbrake shoes had disintegrated; the friction material had actually come off the shoe and was flapping around inside the drum.

That sounds like it could be the problem alright. did u notice poor braking response too?

[teamster1975]

That sounds like it could be the problem alright. did u notice poor braking response too?

No, the main brakes were fine; I've got discs on the rear but the brake disc has an integral drum for the handbrake; the handbrake shoes are mounted on the hub and the disc/drum fits over the top. I ended up replacing the discs, shoes and pads as a matter of course; the handbrake now works as well as it can for a 406
It's a wierd setup.

[steve_earwig]

Weird? All the drums-in-discs I've had are much the same. Tip for making the shoes work: ignore Haynes and adjust the cable 'til the brakes lock.

[teamster1975]

Cheers Steve, I'll try that!
I say weird because I've only ever had drums on the back, this car is my first with disc rear brakes! Poor choice of words on my part

[steve_earwig]

Here's a link to a post I did on this very subject.

...although I can't do handbrake turns or anything because if I put the handbrake on while on the move it feels like the drums are square (yes, they are new).

[teamster1975]

Why thank you sir

Have you had any more slippery drive-way incidents!

[steve_earwig]

Not yet, I'm also carrying about 20kg of rock salt, just in case...

We were in one of the car parks in town yesterday, the whole thing was one sheet of ice (so much for the council). It was bedlam, we were only there to pick up some DVDs, what the hell were everyone else doing?! FFS, it's only one day you bone-heads! Fortunatly I managed to drive through the kiddy playground at the end and hide my Pug out of the way

[teamster1975]

Bloody 'ell Steve
I think we've all forgotton what a hard winter is back in blighty!
I can imagine people driving home from parties last night on a sheet of ice!