Rear Handbrake

[Wurzel 16]

A niggly little fault this one.

 

When I pull the handbrake on, the drivers side does not apply as much force as the passengers side. If on a hill, you can feel the car rock back on its suspension and lift more on the braked side.

 

Calipers, discs and pads are less than three months old. I have noticed that the drivers side handbrake cable guide on the underside of the fuel tank constantly lets go of the cable allowing it to dangle. This seems to be a common fault on all 205's as you see it regularly.

 

Even when i bang it back in place the problem persists. I am going to have to wire lock it in place I reckon as it's a weekly occurance.

 

Any one else have this problem and did you cure it?

 

It passed it's MOT a few months back but it feels as it if it getting worse.

 

The adjuster is a little crude as it adjusts both cables simultaneously.

 

I'm thinking perhaps stiff cable but it doesn't bind on at all and allows the rear caliper arm to move freely.

 

Any ideas??????

[Guest turnip]

Nick,

 

I had the same prob on my 88 1.6. After faffing around for a few hours I took it into a brake specialist who diagnosed (among other things) a seized handbrake pivot in one of the drums.

 

The other thing was the RH cable needed replacing.

 

If yours is a 1.9 it may be the cable, but I know there is a common prob with 1.9s and handbrakes...

 

Good luck

Matt

[Guest simonb]

The best way to stop the cable popping out is to use cable ties at each end of the plastic clips. Mine haven't popped out since and the cable feels tighter than before.

 

Try this first and then it may be worth replacing the rear shoes and handbrake arm.

[Ahl 4]

I thought the handbrake cables could be individualy adjusted at the point where they fit over the caliper pivot?

 

I havent done it myself, but I believe my dad did when he fitted new handbrake cables. They ends just spin round with a small spanner don't they?

[nick 3]

Mine is like this, my problem is that the outer cable at the caliper end has pulled through too much, worth a look because it's hard to spot.

 

Nick

[Wurzel 16]

Cheers for the replies guys, some useful tips there.

 

I will get under the motor this weekend and have a good look. I am hoping that it is the fact that the cable has popped out of its clip causing it to brake less.

 

Sounds weird I know but it's all to do with how much the cable outer is allowed to 'give' when force is applied inside it (cable itself). Seems to make a difference on my push bikes.

 

Ahl.....On my 1.9, each brake cable is of a set length and looks like it is supplied as an inner and outer together. I cant see how they split unless you cut one of the securing nipples off! As on a push bike, the nipples slot into recesses on the caliper lever and then onto a bracket by the handbrake. The slack is taken up by a single nut in the middle of this bracket between the two ends of the cable.

 

I will let you all know.

 

Probably end up buying a new set of cables seeing as everything else is new at the rear.

 

Cheers

[Ahl 4]

Sorry, im mistaken yet again.

The ends of the handbrake cable arent adjustable. It was just my evil father spinning his normal web of lies and deceit.

Plus a few of my idiot mates (mentioning no names) thought they were adjusting the rear brakes on a 306 by rotating these bits...until one of the cables snapped!

Edited August 14, 2003 by Ahl

[Guest turnip]

Seems to make a difference on my push bikes.

Nick,

I'm guessing the Pug's handbrake is more Alivio than XTR?

Matt

[Wurzel 16]

lol,

 

Yeah, deffo not your campy record anyway.

 

New Cable in the post. I'll post the results later.