Handbrake cable

[johnnydog]

On the Apec site, they list the Omega handbrake cables as two different overall lengths - 1513mm and 1545 mm. Unfortunately, it doesn't specify which side is which.... , but from that it appears they are not the same size; one difference being between the fixed mounting points - one is 883mm, the other 840mm.

Apec struggle to manufacture brake discs that run true. Why would you expect them to produce a consistent cable?

Ate suggests 1550 for the front run and 840 for the rear...

https://www.123spareparts.co.uk/car-parts/ate/p-195485

Also, why fit a single cable when you can buy the complete thing

I wonder if this is why the OP is having issues... If the cable he replaced is from a different manufacturer to the other side then it will never be balanced regardless of how much it is adjusted.

I have used Apec front brake pads previously, and they have a lot more bite and better pedal feel than the GM aftermarket 9192124 pads.
I have also previously fitted Apec discs and pads to a Honda CRV with no issues whatsoever.
Maybe your experience with Apec discs was down to (your) incorrect fitting - contaminated hub to disc surfaces, hub run out or even incorrect bedding in. A bad experience due to any of the above doesn't mean all Apec discs aren't true from manufacture.

[Doctor Gollum]

terribly sorry old boy, I am a little tired

[TheBoy]

Must be honest, I thought Apec brakes were utter shite on the Omega.  In the same league as other budget brands like Mintex, Pagid etc.

I tended to stick with GM aftermarket on convenience and significantly cheaper than anything else, plus they actually worked, even after some abuse.  I would use the OE GM ones as an when they came up for sensible money.

I accept my use case might be different, as it was in Milton Keynes every day, so that was usually 10-12 lots of dual carriageway speeds to zero in quick succession, several times a day.

[Doctor Gollum]

It becomes a no brainier when genuine is within 10% of the local factors best efforts and lasts significantly longer.

Haven't used aftermarket brake parts since the Omega.

[TheBoy]

Also, bear in mind, according to Darth Loo-knee when I took Vader for a spirited run, I "drive like a cock"

[johnnydog]

It becomes a no brainier when genuine is within 10% of the local factors best efforts and lasts significantly longer.

Haven't used aftermarket brake parts since the Omega.

There is a huge difference in performance between the OE pads 9195057 and the aftermarket 9192124. So much so that I started using alternative brands such as Apec, and Comline / Allied Nippon (same pad but different branding). Comline brake discs and pads are very good - for what my opinion is worth.....
Aftermarket GM pads are called 'aftermarket' for a reason, and are aimed at reducing aftersales maintenance costs, with a reduction in quality. I have found them a bit 'wooden' compared with the OE pads. I always try to stick with GM parts wherever possible, but their aftermarket pads I'm afraid are not one of them.
Fortunately, I recently came across several sets of the original OE brake pad sets 9195057 for relatively little money, so that's me sorted for a while!

[Doctor Gollum]

I did say since the Omega 

[TheBoy]

It becomes a no brainier when genuine is within 10% of the local factors best efforts and lasts significantly longer.

Haven't used aftermarket brake parts since the Omega.

There is a huge difference in performance between the OE pads 9195057 and the aftermarket 9192124. So much so that I started using alternative brands such as Apec, and Comline / Allied Nippon (same pad but different branding). Comline brake discs and pads are very good - for what my opinion is worth.....
Aftermarket GM pads are called 'aftermarket' for a reason, and are aimed at reducing aftersales maintenance costs, with a reduction in quality. I have found them a bit 'wooden' compared with the OE pads. I always try to stick with GM parts wherever possible, but their aftermarket pads I'm afraid are not one of them.
Fortunately, I recently came across several sets of the original OE brake pad sets 9195057 for relatively little money, so that's me sorted for a while!

Yup, I too came across regular sources of the OE pad, although these did start to dry up a bit, and I did get through an awful lot of pads on my Omegas.

The GM aftermarket (Omega ones) felt a bit dead on the first application, but improved after that.  Where they were leagues ahead of the crap like Mintex/Pagid/Apec etc (I tried just about every one out there, as the GM aftermarket was quite dusty) is the abuse they would take before throwing in the towel.  Hence I would, and do, recommend them above all others except OE ones for normal/heavy road use.  And given they were cheaper than the other budget pads, and ultra convenient with Trade Club (delivered for free by the dealer in a van), it was absolutely a no-brainer.


Oddly, the GM aftermarket for the Zafira always seemed to have lots of initial bite, even on first application in the morning.

[dave the builder]

Oddly, the GM aftermarket for the Zafira always seemed to have lots of initial bite, even on first application in the morning.

Because the Zafira's "OI ! ,  I don't do fast" software map licks in                                                               

[TheBoy]

Oddly, the GM aftermarket for the Zafira always seemed to have lots of initial bite, even on first application in the morning.

Because the Zafira's "OI ! ,  I don't do fast" software map licks in                                                               

It wasn't built for speed. Or handling. Or comfort.

But I miss it

[dave the builder]

Oddly, the GM aftermarket for the Zafira always seemed to have lots of initial bite, even on first application in the morning.

Because the Zafira's "OI ! ,  I don't do fast" software map licks in                                                               

It wasn't built for speed. Or handling. Or comfort.

But I miss it

I hate the driving position ,on the rare occasions I have to drive it 
Same seat as the astra G ,which  i feel OK driving 

[countrywoman]

Every Zafira I moted was full of crisp and biscuit crumbs, every surface was sticky and smelt of old socks! 

[dave the builder]

Every Zafira I moted was full of crisp and biscuit crumbs, every surface was sticky and smelt of old socks!

being a 7 seater ,the Zafira tends to be used for mass brat transport
brats are not house or car trained ,and the parents throw crisps and biscuits at them to keep the "noise" down 
the zafira is a very versatile vehicle , I just don't like having to drive it 

[Doctor Gollum]

Oddly, the GM aftermarket for the Zafira always seemed to have lots of initial bite, even on first application in the morning.

Because the Zafira's "OI ! ,  I don't do fast" software map licks in                                                               

It wasn't built for speed. Or handling. Or comfort.

But I miss it

I hate the driving position ,on the rare occasions I have to drive it 
Same seat as the astra G ,which  i feel OK driving 

Bolted at the same height too probably... The overwhelming sense of impending doom from the rear five seats is probably what does it. Also, it's probably shorter than the Astra estate, which won't help.

[TheBoy]

Every Zafira I moted was full of crisp and biscuit crumbs, every surface was sticky and smelt of old socks!

being a 7 seater ,the Zafira tends to be used for mass brat transport
brats are not house or car trained ,and the parents throw crisps and biscuits at them to keep the "noise" down 
the zafira is a very versatile vehicle , I just don't like having to drive it 

And McDonalds Happy Meal toys.

Its modern parenting.  Now discipline is frowned upon, giveing the little darlings sweets and crisps to smear over their tablet computers in the car is the only way to get them behave.  Dad had more effective methods when I was a kid.  And McDonalds wasn't invented in Buckinghamshire.