whats the best way to ajust the handbrake

[omega]

we all know that the hand brake on these cars is not the best but what is the best way of getting it right?done a search for handbrake ajustment and nothing came up,which i thought was very strange so lets have all your tips

[steve_earwig]

Just search with "handbrake adjustment" and look for the magic name "Jasper5"

[jasper5]

You'll have me blushing Steve

If your handbrake is the drum in disc type.....

Slacken off the nut on the cable by the right hand side of the handrake lever inside the car (10mm 3/8 drive deep socket on an extension works ok, but 1/4 drive gives you more room).

Slacken off the cable adjuster under the car, be careful to soak it with lots of WD40 or plus gas for a while to stop it snapping.

Take off the wheels and adjust the adjusting wheel until the drum locks completely then let the adjuster back one click at a time until the drum turns.(Both sides of course).

Tighten up the underneath cable until the drums won't turn then slacken it until they turn.

Take up the slack by tightening the nut by the handbrake lever making sure the drums still turn...refit wheels.

My car was always rock solid on 4 clicks.

On the drum only type....slacken the cable adjuster...
Adjust the drum type by removing the wheel and drum and turn the ratchet about 5 clicks then try fitting the drum, if it fits tight slacken the ratchet 1 click, if it feels slack to fit on tighten a couple of clicks at a time until the drum fits on nicely with the drum turning and just catching the shoes, do both sides and tighten up the cable until the drums start to lock then slacken off a bit until they turn.

[Doggy]

Can we 'HowTo' this bit? Be proper handy like....

[steve_earwig]

Needs.....pictures..... I'll see if I can find some today if I've time.