MOT is coming....

[dukey406]

Been doing a bit of work on the old girl over the last couple of days including 2x track rod ends, n/s inner & outer driveshaft gaitors, handbrake adjustment, rear door lock mechanism replacement. Having a good look around the car all seems to be ok, does anyone have any other suggestions of failure items to check for that are common on the 406?...

[Doggy]

How's the handbrake?
Anti roll bar drop links?
Obvious, I know, but all the mandatory lights working?

[dukey406]

Handbrake is crap TBH but all the rear brakes were replaced last year and it past on less efficiency than it has now so hopefully ok. Antiroll bar links were done also as has knocking coming from front so swapped them anyway, light check done and numberplate lamp holders cleaned out!. Guess it's a 'suck it and see' exercise.

[lozz]

Good luck with mot

[dukey406]

Failed on handbrake grr, adjusted shoes & cable on lever now passed but only on 19% efficiency i guess i need to run the new shoes in a but more.
Oh well all set for winter now

[Doggy]

Well done getting it through.
To bed the shoes, pull handbrake on until very slight resistance felt, drive at 10 mph or so for about 200 yds at a time, allowing drums to cool fully between runs.
A few repeats should do it.

[GingerMagic]

+1 - you will need to bed the shoes in as suggested but I tend to use my handbrake once a month to slow my car when in traffic - this way it is getting the friction to grip but not getting too hot - seems to work.
Also, after a month or so of fitting new shoes, I adjust them with the adjusted in the disk, so I can turn the disk by hand but it slows after a couple of turns. This gives me a 3 click handbrake that works quite well on small hills, steep hills still need both hands on the lever and pushing down with your feet too....

[dukey406]

+1 - you will need to bed the shoes in as suggested but I tend to use my handbrake once a month to slow my car when in traffic - this way it is getting the friction to grip but not getting too hot - seems to work.
Also, after a month or so of fitting new shoes, I adjust them with the adjusted in the disk, so I can turn the disk by hand but it slows after a couple of turns. This gives me a 3 click handbrake that works quite well on small hills, steep hills still need both hands on the lever and pushing down with your feet too....

Yes same here, 4 clicks now all the slack taken out and shoes adjusted but still have to heave the lever!

[dummysock]

Hi

You need to remove the rear drums and free off the expander mechanism. Clean it up with abrasive and copperslip to lubricate.

You should then have a perfect handbrake.

I never had a problem with mine !!

[Doggy]

Mine holds really well, on about 5 clicks, but takes little effort to apply.
(At least since I replaced the ratchet mechanism, thanks gingermagic)!


The secret?

Luck - I just bought one that works.

[jasper5]

I've never had any problems with any 406 handbrake, they all work fine when I've sorted them.

[dirtydirtydiesel]

+1 ,
Just follow jaspers guide in Knowlege base,
& I have to agree with making sure ALL moving part's to do with the drum brake shoes are cleaned & coppergreesed