handbrake issues - not the normal stuff

[g.lewarne]

im starting to get really mad with my handbrake. I have tried everything and it always ends up rubbish.

When i changed my rear discs and pads, i fully slackened off the handbrake cable. Wound the piston all the way in until it was free spinning, then back out at least 180degrees so the notch aligns with the pad protrusion. After reading Pauls guide, I always ensure when im winding the piston out im getting a slight interference fit when sliding the caliper over the pads.

Im winding the piston with the handbrake cable fully slackened and the cables (at the caliper end) as straight as can be, no kinks. I also make sure the sliders are free moving before reassembly.

When both calipers are back on, im taking up the slack at the handbrake cable tensioner so the free slack is *just* taken up. This usually leaves me with a wonderful handbrake that works well on 1/2 clicks for about 2 or three weeks. After that period of time, i need more and more clicks to get a decent hold to the point where the car will still roll on a hill with the lever as high as it will go.

If i repeat the entire procedure, as if im fitting new pads, i get good handbrake again for another few weeks. rinse and repeat.

Now, the strange thing is, both cables are moving fine, the lever arms on the calipers move freely, and the auto adjuster does appear to be working on both calipers as there is never any slack between the piston and the pads even when its crap at holding the car.

any suggestions? or is it time to bite the bullet and get refurbed calipers?

many thanks
gav

[ashley]

Sounds like you've got stretched cables mate- I'd be replacing those before lashing out on refurb'd calipers, especially if your rear brakes actually work and aren't seizing

[g.lewarne]

i see where your going with that, but i cant see that they would stretch that much over and over again?

i might whack on a new set to try though

[Slarty]

Is the cable tensioner slipping perhaps, after you've tensioned it? Might be worth trying it again and putting a little paint mark on the threads to check, once it's gone slack again?

[g.lewarne]

aye, ill try that! thanks

im doing a full bleed and flush tomorrow so will totally reset the handbrake from scratch again and monitor from then

[uglee]

The rear calipers adjust by moving on a threaded portion which you wind in manually. Could the thread inside the piston, ie what it uses to adjust be worn so essentially every time you pull on the handbrake it's trying to adjust a little bit and slipping on a none existent thread?

It's the only thing I can think of after you have tried everything else.

[BLZ-8027]

I had issues with my handbrake on the last car ,similar thing to you just couldn't get it to work right

Have you read the instructions on adjustment ,that is on the centre mounting plate under the car where the cables meet ?

i followed these and my handbrake worked fine after that

[g.lewarne]

Ill look at that thanks

[mercedade]

Apologies if this sounds like I'm pointing out the obvious, but I thought it worth checking (with other cars, I've been known to fret about my ABS light without checking if I actually had it!) - when you refit the calipers, are you pumping the pedal up before beginning the adjustment of the handbrake?

[g.lewarne]

Apologies if this sounds like I'm pointing out the obvious, but I thought it worth checking (with other cars, I've been known to fret about my ABS light without checking if I actually had it!) - when you refit the calipers, are you pumping the pedal up before beginning the adjustment of the handbrakie?

Yes I am indeed. Just took a look underneath, no toyota instruction stickers to be found

[BLZ-8027]

Just took a look underneath, no toyota instruction stickers to be found