Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: jonny2112 on 11 March 2010, 21:32:13

Title: Anyone changed the handbrake cable?
Post by: jonny2112 on 11 March 2010, 21:32:13
Thanks to advice here (sjc  :y) I have established that the brake problem I was having is due to a seized cable.
Has anyone changed their cables and is it a difficult job?
Thanks
Title: Re: Anyone changed the handbrake cable?
Post by: Bumbazor on 11 March 2010, 21:38:28
I would imagine the hardest, or most awkward part, is releasing slack on the adjuster nut. Apart from that I can't see it being much of a job, but someone else might know otherwise.
Title: Re: Anyone changed the handbrake cable?
Post by: Andy H on 11 March 2010, 21:39:52
Did mine 7 or 8 years ago.

Would have been easy if I had a 4 post lift ::)
Title: Re: Anyone changed the handbrake cable?
Post by: Andy H on 11 March 2010, 21:44:36
Quote
most awkward part, is releasing slack on the adjuster nut

Turning the nut a 12th of a turn at a time with an open ended spanner is no fun. I now have a deep socket which makes life much easier.
Title: Re: Anyone changed the handbrake cable?
Post by: Bumbazor on 11 March 2010, 21:51:27
Exactly! It took me about half an hour. My arm was in an awkward position and was constantly getting cramps. I did have a deep 13mm socket but it's gone walkies.
I have a 13mm ring ratchet spanner but the distance between ratchet steps wasn't too good. I had to hold the threaded bar to stop it moving while I was ratcheting.
Title: Re: Anyone changed the handbrake cable?
Post by: Seth on 11 March 2010, 21:55:24
Quote
Did mine 7 or 8 years ago.

Would have been easy if I had a 4 post lift ::)
Or an inspection pit :y
Title: Re: Anyone changed the handbrake cable?
Post by: jonny2112 on 12 March 2010, 09:15:45
Quote
Did mine 7 or 8 years ago.
     I take it once the bar is disconnected that the cable can be removed from the bar and withdrawn through the wheel end?
Title: Re: Anyone changed the handbrake cable?
Post by: Ghost on 12 March 2010, 13:19:39
I changed mine about 6 month ago,
Clean the threaded bar on the hand breake leaver and use plenty of lube. Then take the cable off the wheel side's and push / pull it through to the front of the car.
you might have to loosen a couple of heat shields to get to the clamps that hold the cable but you dont have to take them off.
reverse procedure to put the new one back on.
as said the higher you can get the car the better and easyer it is. dont forget the axel stands.
Title: Re: Anyone changed the handbrake cable?
Post by: ians on 12 March 2010, 15:03:15
Its a bit of a pain as already stated but nothing fundamentally different.   Look up the guide for setting up the handbrake and follow it carefully after you have fitted the new cable.

As a tip - unthread one side at a time and then replace with the new cable - then if unsure about the routing, you have the old one still there to copy :y
Title: Re: Anyone changed the handbrake cable?
Post by: NF on 20 March 2010, 22:03:36
I have just replaced mine, quite easy, first remove brake expander springs from the ends of the levers, remove centre heatshield from exhaust, undo adjuster nut on handbrake lever, twist cable ends to remove them from the expander levers, now remove one side at a time and replace with new cable, cables go one each side of propshaft centre bearing, don't forget when adjusting to pull up handbrake lever three notches first.
Hope this helps.
Did mine with the rear wheels on car ramps.