Handbrake

[Mullens]

Alright guys just got myself a calibra v6 but the handbrake comes up very high till it holds the car.Could someone tell me where abouts cable adjuster is? Cheers

[rich_DTM]

if its like a astra under the car above the exhaust heat shield!

[RobbieV]

The handbrake should be adjusted at the rear wheels first.

[rich_DTM]

The handbrake should be adjusted at the rear wheels first.

true

[Robs-se]

As per the Haynes bible

[Leigh]

I **STILL** can't get that right despite numerous attempts over the year(s)..

I seem to either end up with the rear adjusters too tight, so after a short(ish) test run the hub is hot, or too slack so the handbrake only just holds it on a gentle slope
One side seems to hold better than the other tho, wondering if the shoes are worn one side, or it's not pulling evenly from the cable yoke.

I've looked at the cable itself and it all seems in good nick, it was only replaced a few years ago.

On the plus side, I can now find the adjuster through the hole with little problem as I've had so much damn practise at it (NOT the case when I first tried..)

[hunty]

Slacken cable off on adjuster, (under car)
Adjust handbrake through hole in brake disc till disc wont turn, then tap the disc with a hammer (part the wheel bolts onto, nt the braking surface !) disc normally free's up when you do this,
Adjust handbrake again through hole in disc til disc wont turn,
Then back off so disc spins and doesnt bind,

Do both sides,
Test hand brake travel, and check for binding when spinning rear wheels,
As a guide, 4th click the wheels should be locked on.
Hope this helps

[Leigh]

That's pretty much what I've done in the past (from the Haynes being on the floor next t me , LOL), except I've never heard of the 'tap the disc/hub with a hammer to free it up..

I'll likely be giving it a look at this w/end as it's <gulp> MOT time on wednesday

thanks for the tip!

[Robs-se]

I can never remember when adjusting the adjuster wheel which side you push over the top and which side you push under. Think its driver side over the top of the retaining spring and passenger side under the spring

[Leigh]

I had the same problem...
At first I just assumed they were both the same way, so once I'd done one side and figured out which way tightened it, I did the same on the other, and sat there going "WTF!! why isn't it getting tighter..."

Only when I changed the discs a year later did it become so clear , when you can see the adjuster in plain sight it's easy!

I remember it this way now ..
"Adjusting the handbrake, the DRIVER will be fed UP"

LOL

[Monkey]

I had the same problem...

I remember it this way now ..
"Adjusting the handbrake, the DRIVER will be fed UP"

LOL

Sounds a good way of remebering it, need to adjust the handbrake on my Vectra estate and they are very similar.

So passenger side adjust down to tighten and drivers side adjust up is that correct?

[Leigh]

Yup , or at least it is on my Cally,

my original version at the time I was trying it didn't really help with remembering...


"F*'K stupid b&stard c$%t th!ng"

[Robs-se]

Yup , or at least it is on my Cally,

my original version at the time I was trying it didn't really help with remembering...


"F*'K stupid b&stard c$%t th!ng"

Funny, thats exactly what i said as well lol

[Phantom]

it will also depend on which way the adjusters are fitted

the way I always do it is to adjust the rear hubs so they won't turn in either direction, then adjust the handbrake lever so you get 4 clicks and feels solid, then slacken off the hubs so they turn freely

[BMJ]

Hi Guys,
On this topic, I wanted to change the hand brake pads but I gave up in the end, becasue after removing the brake caliper I had problems trying to remove the rear disc's from the hub, try as I may I couldn't get it off. Can someone tell me how to I suppose unstick the disc form the hub?