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[steve6367]

On both of mine I've simply tightened the cable when the MOT says excessive travel. 5 minute job but I imagine there a reason using the star adjusters is better?

Steve

[Doctor Gollum]

On both of mine I've simply tightened the cable when the MOT says excessive travel. 5 minute job but I imagine there a reason using the star adjusters is better?

Steve

The star adjusters actually allow you to adjust the hand brake mechanism.

Simply stretching the slack out of the cable achieves nothing constructive...

[annihilator]

Simply stretching the slack out of the cable achieves nothing constructive...

except making the handbrake hold and getting a MOT pass.

[Nick W]

Simply stretching the slack out of the cable achieves nothing constructive...

except making the handbrake hold and getting a MOT pass.

But it is a short-term fix that stretches the cable, and is harder to do than the long established procedure.

[annihilator]

Didn't say it was long term but will get you a mot pass and what if you've fitted new everything surely with unworn discs and shoes there isn't any wear to adjust.
John.

[Doctor Gollum]

Didn't say it was long term but will get you a mot pass and what if you've fitted new everything surely with unworn discs and shoes there isn't any wear to adjust.
John.

In which case, why would you not set each side correctly on reassembly...

[Bigron]

I hate to shout, but can you not hear the underlying message in these posts?.....
DO IT PROPERLY!

Ron.

[terry paget]

Maximum leverage is achieved when the cable is at right angles to the brake operating lever. This is achieved when the star adjuster is adjusted so that brake is hard on after minimum movement. If the cable is tightened on a worn brake this leverage is lost.
There is a 4:1 leverage at lever end inside the brake, so long as the ingenious pivot arrangement is not rusted solid, as often occurs after 10 years of neglect. Cure is to remove the drum and free it. A well adjusted free handbrake is powerful and light to apply. A rusty h/brake adjusted at cable front end may feel solid, but will be a lousy brake.

[powerslinky]

Didn't say it was long term but will get you a mot pass and what if you've fitted new everything surely with unworn discs and shoes there isn't any wear to adjust.
John.

Not if the handbrake is not fairly equal on both wheels .No amount of cable adjusting will rectify that. Common fault is that one side self adjusts & the other does not. It won't "should not" pass if too far unbalanced on the testers   brake test  "dials".

Surely if you are fitting new discs & shoes you would be setting up correctly anyway ? 

[annihilator]

what a kerfuffle, you lot are so easily wound up 
am I bovvered 

[powerslinky]

what a kerfuffle, you lot are so easily wound up 
am I bovvered

Straight out of the Saff'end Concise Dictionary that word . .

[steve6367]

Well good news is it did get me a MOT pass on both and took 5 mins on each 

I will do it properly - but I didn't have time to strip the back brakes to get the pass.

The post about mechanical advantage makes good sense, I had not really seen what was being adjusted before.

[Marks DTM Calib]

The maintenance guide coves everything you need for a proper service and setup

[steve6367]

The maintenance guide coves everything you need for a proper service and setup

Thank you - another job for the list