handbrake trouble

[purplecrocs]

Hi.

I'm having trouble with my handbrake, basically it won't hold the van on a slope unless I really pull it up hard - i mean with quite a lot of trouble. I had a mechanic (not vw specialist or anything) look at it a recently and he replaced a couple of cables he said were a bit worn but couldn't find much else obviously wrong with it.

Has anyone got any ideas why I'm having so much trouble?

[tonytech]

Have you replaced the Brake shoes recently? I seem to remember that if the brake springs are replaced incorrectly, the auto adjusters wont work.
T

[Bert2]

When checking brakes alway best to adjust them by hand so that the drum can only just fit on again then the auto adjuster will work, also check the adjust ment of the main rod from the hand brake its self, if this is too slack then it is difficult to get the brake on hard before the handle runs out of travel, a couple of clicks and the brake should be on enough to grip.

[Red Westie]

As Tonytech mentioned....the top shoe return springs can be fitted the wrong way around which prevents proper operation (the spring catches on the adjuster)
Also...when adjusting: make sure that the cables are slackened before adjusting at the shoes...once adjusted at the shoes re-tighten the cables. (this ensures the handbrake levers are resting against their stops before adjustment commences.
Adjusting at the shoes with the levers being partly held off their stops by a tight handbrake is totally incorrect and may result in poor operation.

Martin

[purplecrocs]

The mechanic said the brake shoes/drums didnt look that old - so maybe something has been replaced wrongly. Maybe I'll get a VW garage to check it out - I've just found one locally... maybe something has been put together wrong

[fairwynds]

Purplecrocs - whereabouts are you in E Sx. Im Mid Sussex if you need them sorted....?
FW

[kevtherev]

shoes should be positioned thus

[purplecrocs]

thanks Kev

Fairwynds - i'm in Brighton

[fairwynds]

Purple... you have PM
FW