Retro Pug 0 1 Cars Posted April 21, 2008 Hi, I took my 1.6 for its MOT on Saturday and it failed! Brake light switch - sorted Drivers seat not secure, subframe has broken my mate will weld up tonight. Handbrake - I have replaced drums and shoes about a month ago but the handbrake is not up to much what am I doing wrong?! Also as an aside, did not have a good weekend. Parked my Golf up on Friday and some nice young man in a white C2 bounced off a City Rover and into the Golf, knocking it into a Focus! Possible write off! So I'm carless untill I can sort the hire car with the Insurance people! Can someone help me and cheer me up? Cheers John. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted April 21, 2008 try this; Slacken off handbrake cables, stomp brake pedal a dozen times, re-adjust cables. if that doesn't sort it you'll need to take the drums off for a look, how old are the cables? check them for any splits or bulging in the outer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MerlinGTI 3 Posted April 21, 2008 Garanteed to be the poxy weak-ass 'automatic' adjuster on the shoes. Jack one of the rear wheels up, take off the wheel, release handbrake (but with the car suitibly chocked so it wont move). Rotate the drum and look through one of the wheel bolt holes untill you see the toothey (technical term!) adjuster. Adjust by poking it with a screwdriver it untill the drum becomes hard to rotate by hand. Same the other side job done. Thats the lazy way. Propper way is to take the drum off and work out why its not automaticly adjusting. Usually the little leaver needs bending in to it engauges. The thread on the aduster might be all gumed up to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rom 0 Posted April 21, 2008 Ive not adjusted drums on a 205..but in general, auto adjusters are a pita! I work for Toyota, and when adjusting handbrakes i turn the adjuster till the drum locks, then back it off 3 clicks. That normally gives about 4 clicks on the handbrake itself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kanyeost 0 Posted April 21, 2008 This is what I think was wrong with mine... One of my rear brake cylinders was leaking, allowing the handbreak to push the piston back in when I applied it and therefore not pushing on the drum properly. It took me ages to figure it out and I replaced everything else trying to fix it, unlikely to be affecting yours and I would definately check the auto adjust as stated but worth bearing in mind in case that doesn't work... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retro Pug 0 1 Cars Posted April 22, 2008 Thanks all, I'm going to have a look at it tonight so hopefully all will be well. Cheers again John. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonnieG 0 Posted April 22, 2008 I agree CAREFULLY ratchet up the auto adjust one way cog - Just until the drum becomes slightly harder to rotate. They are a one way mechanism and the only way to release is by removing the drum which can be a real pain if the shoes are locked onto it.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
