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Author Topic: Handbrake adjustment  (Read 4205 times)

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omega si

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Handbrake adjustment
« on: 19 December 2006, 22:34:36 »
Hi everyone,

Whilst I'm in the mood for some punishment, I'm thinking of sorting out the handbrake this weekend to get rid of the rather excessive travel on the lever (8 clicks!!!)

I've not had a look at it yet, but was wandering if there is anything I should be aware of with Omegas before I get down and dirty?

All advice and experiences gratefully received  :y

Cheers

Si
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Hillper

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Re: Handbrake adjustment
« Reply #1 on: 20 December 2006, 00:32:48 »
The first thing to be aware of is that the handbrake operates separate drum brakes in the hub.  The cable adjuster under the lever is slackened then the rear shoes are adjusted.  The slack is then taken up at the front again.

I've seen a how to 'elsewhere' on this and suggest this would be a good one for some kind person to do here!

Edit.  Just found MarksDTM superb guide:  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152564750
« Last Edit: 20 December 2006, 01:14:17 by Hillper »
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Paul M

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Re: Handbrake adjustment
« Reply #2 on: 20 December 2006, 11:58:41 »
Unfortunately in typical Vauxhall fashion - i.e. crap design - the centre adjuster is underneath the car (and behind a heat shield I believe), meaning it's a bit of a pig of a job if you don't have ramps. Adjusting at the brakes alone doesn't help, this is just to get the balance right between each side. Similarly the handbrake on my Omega is pathetic, although it will hold on a hill given enough effort, for really steep hills I have to open the sunroof to allow the lever to come up far enough ;)

Quite why they couldn't have put the centre adjuster behind the lever itself is beyond me. The one in my BMW is like this allowing it to be done from inside the car simply by removing the gaiter. 10 minutes of work and the handbrake is rock-solid within 3-4 clicks, I guess such simplicity is way too obvious for those geniouses at GM!
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omega si

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Re: Handbrake adjustment
« Reply #3 on: 20 December 2006, 22:17:44 »
Thanks for the replies. Looking forward to doing it already  ;D

And thanks to Mark for the excellent How-to.


Cheers everyone
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Bernard

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Re: Handbrake adjustment
« Reply #4 on: 20 December 2006, 22:25:09 »
Quote
The first thing to be aware of is that the handbrake operates separate drum brakes in the hub.  The cable adjuster under the lever is slackened then the rear shoes are adjusted.  The slack is then taken up at the front again.

I've seen a how to 'elsewhere' on this and suggest this would be a good one for some kind person to do here!

Edit.  Just found MarksDTM superb guide:  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152564750

Try adjusting the brake shoes first.Adjusted mine just on the shoes and reduced the travel from 10 notches to 6  which is the correct  amount of travel. Would not recommend going much below this as you may burn out shoes and discs, as did the previouse owner of one of my Carltons !
Adjusting cable means dropping exhausts and shields.
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Nothing gives you a oooooh like a good old Vauxhall.

TheBoy

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Re: Handbrake adjustment
« Reply #5 on: 21 December 2006, 08:13:47 »
Quote
Quote
The first thing to be aware of is that the handbrake operates separate drum brakes in the hub.  The cable adjuster under the lever is slackened then the rear shoes are adjusted.  The slack is then taken up at the front again.

I've seen a how to 'elsewhere' on this and suggest this would be a good one for some kind person to do here!

Edit.  Just found MarksDTM superb guide:  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152564750

Try adjusting the brake shoes first.Adjusted mine just on the shoes and reduced the travel from 10 notches to 6  which is the correct  amount of travel. Would not recommend going much below this as you may burn out shoes and discs, as did the previouse owner of one of my Carltons !
Adjusting cable means dropping exhausts and shields.
It is not possible to properly adjust handbrake purely by adjusting the adjusters at the shoes - you need to get to the main adjuster behind propshaft...
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Marks DTM Calib

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Re: Handbrake adjustment
« Reply #6 on: 21 December 2006, 09:51:52 »
Yep....its setting the shoes without a slack cable that is a major cause of them siezing....
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Admin

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Re: Handbrake adjustment
« Reply #7 on: 21 December 2006, 10:13:54 »
Oh, and before attempting any of this, soak all the exhaust shield bolts in penetrating oil for at leat 2 days.

It save a lot of cursing! ;)

You only need to remove the shields though, the exhaust does not get in the way on the V6 (propshaft is a pain and a ratchet spanner is a godsend!)
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Paul M

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Re: Handbrake adjustment
« Reply #8 on: 21 December 2006, 10:23:21 »
Mine is going in to have the clutch replaced next week so I'll get the handbrake adjusted then. Should be relatively easy with the car in the air, but I'll not tempt fate by expecting it to actually be easy.... no doubt something will break along the way ;)
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TheBoy

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Re: Handbrake adjustment
« Reply #9 on: 21 December 2006, 17:57:31 »
Quote
Mine is going in to have the clutch replaced next week so I'll get the handbrake adjusted then. Should be relatively easy with the car in the air, but I'll not tempt fate by expecting it to actually be easy.... no doubt something will break along the way ;)
If you can get under there beforehand and soak some pentrating oil into heatshield nuts - you know how these things seize....
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Grumpy old man
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