Handbrake adjustment - MOT time!

Post by **mrbodly** » 04 Apr 2017, 16:08

Hi all

Van is going in for its MOT on Friday, so I adjusted the handbrake at the weekend.

I released the handbrake leaver and slackened off the nut on the balance bar under the van, just to make sure it was fully released.

I then adjusted the star nut through the backing plates until the drums locked, then wacked with a mallet. Adjusted again until they locked then backed them off 2 or 3 notches til just dragging.

Then set handbrake leaver to 2nd notch and tightened the nut until the shoes were just dragging.

All seems good ready for the MOT. Just one question, when I tightened up the wheel nuts (still on axle stands) with a breaker bar it was possible to turn the wheels slightly (handbrake on), albiet with some force - is this ok or should they be completely locked off?

Cheers
Myles

Post by **DoubleOSeven** » 04 Apr 2017, 16:55

Wheels should be on the ground for the final 180Nm turn of the wheel nuts.

Two notches on the handbrake is where you want it, once complete.

Post by **mrbodly** » 04 Apr 2017, 19:46

Thanks for the reply.

I realise the wheels need to be on the ground for final tightening.

What I want to know is, with the handbrake on and adjusted should it be possible to turn the wheels with a breaker bar on the lugnut or should they be stuck solid.

Sorry for the pedantic question, just worried whether or not the handbrake is grippy enough to pass the MOT.

Post by **captain Byrne** » 04 Apr 2017, 20:37

You're asking a difficult question. Unless you have access to a rolling road it's difficult to replicate the tolerance the MOT test will allow. Experience will usually tell you if it's not good. My advice would be to find a hill, park up & if it rolls down then it'll fail.

Post by **mrbodly** » 04 Apr 2017, 21:20

Holds the van fine on a hill, although it did when I last had it MOT'd a year ago and the tester said it only just scraped through.

I need to stop worrying, I've adjusted as far as it will go without binding.

Post by **bigherb** » 05 Apr 2017, 07:45

The hand brake should stop the wheel from rotating while you are tightening the wheel nuts.
The MOT hand brake test is the equivalent of holding the van on a 1:6 hill. T25 hand brakes are easily capable of doing that.
If the brake is suspect then you need to remove the drums for inspection of the linkage and back plates, and to make sure the shoes are centered.

Post by **Ciaraneng** » 30 Oct 2020, 13:20

Sorry guys. I know it's in here somewhere but I can't find it and have my MOT in an hour!

Is the gear on the adjustment rod pushed up or down to tighten though the hole at the back?

Post by **R0B** » 30 Oct 2020, 13:56

Loosen up. Tighten down.

Post by **Ciaraneng** » 30 Oct 2020, 20:22

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