Handbrake cable needs tightened!

[oopsitsbrokenagain]

My handbrake works, but it's crap. Anyone know how best to tighten it? 

[unofix]

The handbrake is auto self adjusting. If it is crap then I expect you will find the brake shoes have reached the wear limit and need replacing

[oopsitsbrokenagain]

Just now, unofix said:

The handbrake is auto self adjusting. If it is crap then I expect you will find the brake shoes have reached the wear limit and need replacing

OK - the car had new shoes on the rear when I got it a year ago - handbrake has always been crap... - may the adjusting system be stuck in some way? I know this is an issue with other cars handbrakes..? Is that a known issue with the Mk2 focus? 

 

 

[unofix]

If the handbrake has been a problem since the new brake shoes were fitted I would guess that the auto adjusters were not reset when the brakes replaced. Maybe who ever did the job losened off the handbrake cable and now the adjusters have reached there limit. Do you know for sure the brake shoes were new, and how many miles have they done?

[SH3Z4]

Hi buddy.

I've recently picked up a '13 plate Titanium myself and the handbrake functions OK but could do with tightening as it feels a little higher than it should be.

After looking around a little, I believe the simplest method is as follows:

Remove the central cupholder insert, between the two front seats – and then the remaining piece which houses the 12v socket (or heated seats if they're spec'd).
Once those two pieces are removed, you should see through to the 'gubbins' where you'll need to unclip the electrical plug.
 – Insert a 13mm Deep Socket into the recess which is nearer to the passenger-seat side, and completely remove the initial locking nut. Once that is out, get the 13mm socket back into the recess and lock onto the nut. From this point, you'll adjust the handbrake to your requirement; Left to loosen - Right to tighten (Lefty Loosey, Righty Tighty).

Hope this helps buddy!

[F0CUE]

3 hours ago, SH3Z4 said:

Hi buddy.

I've recently picked up a '13 plate Titanium myself and the handbrake functions OK but could do with tightening as it feels a little higher than it should be.

After looking around a little, I believe the simplest method is as follows:

Remove the central cupholder insert, between the two front seats – and then the remaining piece which houses the 12v socket (or heated seats if they're spec'd).
Once those two pieces are removed, you should see through to the 'gubbins' where you'll need to unclip the electrical plug.
 – Insert a 13mm Deep Socket into the recess which is nearer to the passenger-seat side, and completely remove the initial locking nut. Once that is out, get the 13mm socket back into the recess and lock onto the nut. From this point, you'll adjust the handbrake to your requirement; Left to loosen - Right to tighten (Lefty Loosey, Righty Tighty).

Hope this helps buddy!

That will just stretch the cable doing it that way. The best way I found with drum brakes is to adjust the adjusters in the drum manually enough so the shoes are quite tight for the drum to go over but the handbrake need's to be off whilst doing this. Then once all back together reverse slightly then pull on the handbrake and the adjusters should adjust. If need be you can do a small adjustment to the console end but not too much.

[stevejwalford]

I thought I heard somewhere this was a common fault?

I had the exact same issue where I had the cable tightened, it got to the point where the handbrake would barely move an inch.

It got to the point where even if my car was parked on the slightest of inclines and the handbrake would not hold the car stationary.

I think in the end the auto adjusters where the problem...

[SH3Z4]

14 minutes ago, F0CUE said:

That will just stretch the cable doing it that way. The best way I found with drum brakes is to adjust the adjusters in the drum manually enough so the shoes are quite tight for the drum to go over but the handbrake need's to be off whilst doing this. Then once all back together reverse slightly then pull on the handbrake and the adjusters should adjust. If need be you can do a small adjustment to the console end but not too much.

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be sure to follow that through when I carry out the adjustments on mine, cheers!

[F0CUE]

1 minute ago, SH3Z4 said:

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be sure to follow that through when I carry out the adjustments on mine, cheers!

Be sure to chock the front wheels and either leave in reverse or 1st gear to be safe when taking off the handbrake. The handbrake will defo need to come off to remove the drums covers.