Hanbrake equalizer pulled tight on one side

[macthejaffa]

Hi all....Having failed the MOT on poor handbrake efficiency, I got underneath and had a look at what was going on, and noticed the equalizing bar was pulled tight on one side, causing one secondary cable to be loose and the other taut. With the handbrake on, you can still turn one back wheel which is alarming me....Any advice chaps on how to correct this, I'm expecting to take the drums off and see whats what but am not 100%what to look for....quite a novice!
The MOT fail also claimed worn handbrake lever as it wouldn't catch on the ratchet every time, but I've had a look at this and everything seems fine with it...all parts are in top condition so could this be related to the main problem above??

Cheers in sdvance for all your pearls of wisdom.....(I've not been let down yet!!)

Happy Chugging......

[armyphil]

Jack up the rear of the van handbrake off, make sure to chock the van first. Then get underneath and spin each rear wheel. See which one is binding excessively.
Take the wheels and drums off give them a clean out and refit drums.

Slacken off the handbrake cable on both sides until nearly the same length.
Either spin one wheel or get some help and get some to spin it for you adjust up the brakes through the back plate on the adjuster until you can hear the brakes binding( slightly catching the drum do that on both wheels.

While underneath get a friend to pull on the handbrake cable and watch the action of the cable may lube it up and try and turn each wheel and see if they are the same.

Count your clicks on the handbrake and adjust as necessary you should be looking for around four clicks

hope that helps

feel free to add bits I've missed or forgotten about

[macthejaffa]

Cheers Phil..top advice in laymans terms...that's me morning sorted then tomorrow, up until 3 oclock of course.....!! Cheers

[kevtherev]

yes good advice there from phil, it is important that the shoes are adjusted via the wheeled adjuster on the back plate, as phil states... not using the cable

[Red Westie]

Good advice but I would add: adjust both sides until they bind then back off until they are free then add a couple more for clearance....what I am saying is they shouldn't be set binding, they should have a very small amount of clearance to allow for expansion.

Martin

[macthejaffa]

Cheers fella's...all top advice and very clearly noted and taken on board...what a great forum this is, always comes up with the best advice for relative novices like me....quality

[armyphil]

Apologise for bits I missed I had, had a few

[macthejaffa]

Advice followed to the letter, and now have a healthy handbrake...cheers fellas