Omega Owners Forum

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Welcome to OOF

Pages: [1] 2  All   Go Down

Author Topic: Handbrake lever travel  (Read 5133 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Paul M

  • Omega Knight
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Edinburgh
  • Posts: 1528
    • View Profile
Handbrake lever travel
« on: 05 October 2006, 15:37:24 »
Hi guys

What's the normal handbrake travel on your Omegas? Mine seems to be way too high, about 6 or 7 clicks to get a decent bite. I spent ages adjusting it at the wheels a few weeks back, getting it to the point where there's resistance spinning the wheel then backing it off a little. Very little, if any, improvement. In comparison, my BMW has a very similar setup with the drums inside the rear discs, and it holds on a flat with 2 clicks, and is rock solid even on steep hills with 4 clicks.

What's weird is that the Omega doesn't seem to have any adjustment at the handbrake lever itself. On the BMW, you back off the handbrake lever nuts, then adjust at the wheels to get both sides properly set, then readjust the handbrake lever bolts to get the right amount of travel. I couldn't find any adjustment on the Omega other than at the handbrake drums themselves. Is this correct? Surely they haven't been real boneheads and put the adustment under the car? Although going by much of the other design on this car..... hmm

BTW The rear discs, pads and shoes were changed less than a year ago so they're still pretty new.
Logged

Bo Bo

  • Omega Baron
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Coventry
  • Posts: 4812
  • Here's another nice mess you've gotten me into!
    • View Profile
Re: Handbrake lever travel
« Reply #1 on: 05 October 2006, 15:42:17 »
Mine's the same, trouble is when I use other cars I tend to put the handbrake on way to hard thinking they're the same as mine!
Logged
Where would we be without rhetorical questions?!

Marks DTM Calib

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • West Bridgford
  • Posts: 34010
  • Git!
    • View Profile
Re: Handbrake lever travel
« Reply #2 on: 05 October 2006, 15:43:28 »
Its improtant to adjust (any) handbrake in the right order.

You must slacken the hand brake cable off first, this is done by removing the exhaust heatshield to gain access to the handbrake assembly.

Then adjust the rear shoes using the method you mentioned i.e. shoes binding then back off slightly....make sure that all the springs etc are in place including the return spring on the back of the brake shield. Its also important that the mechanisms are working well (see maintenance guide for info).

Then adjust teh hand brake cable to suit.....its important on ANY car that when the hand brake is off that there is slack in the cable (your BMW one may be to tight!).

When set correctly the Omega one should be well on at 6 clicks (its quite a fine ratchet), you can just about get away with 5 clicks but do watch the slack in the cable.
Logged

Paul M

  • Omega Knight
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Edinburgh
  • Posts: 1528
    • View Profile
Re: Handbrake lever travel
« Reply #3 on: 05 October 2006, 16:04:27 »
Hmm seems like a bit of a PITA then, does make me wonder why they couldn't put the adjuster inside the car rather than underneath. On the BMW you just pop off a piece of trim in the centre console and the nuts are easily accessed. I guess it's the same reason GM put the DIS pack round the back of the engine ;)

I guess I'll be living with it for now then. If I ever get round to changing the exhaust I'll probably do it then.

BTW The BMW brakes weren't done by myself, it was a BMW independent specialist who does all the work on my BMW. He knew exactly where to find every nut and adjuster, checked all the cables for free play, oiled the ratchet things etc. All in a very professional mechanic (I've had more complex work done there too) so I'm fully confident he hasn't overtightened the cable. I'd be most happy if my Omega handbrake was half as good! If only some of you more knowledgeable types were closer to me, there could be a nice little earner in sorting all these kind of little niggles on my Omega! :D

Cheers.
Logged

Admin

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • 0
  • Posts: 2595
    • View Profile
Re: Handbrake lever travel
« Reply #4 on: 05 October 2006, 16:04:43 »
To add to this as I changed the handbrake cable and so had to reset the brakes for a friend last weekend...

It is not a difficult job but to do properly you MUST release the handbrake cable so there is not any tension on the cable.

Once you have the back end on axle stands go round all the nuts that hold the heat shields on and spray copious amounts of penetrating fluid on them. Also use the little straw to spray between the shield and the car body.

Leave to soak for 30 mins.

Come back and re-spray then try and undo them.

If you don't do this you will snap them all off as they really rust on!

The hadbrake cable adjuster sits behind the propshaft so access is rather limited.
If you don't have a 13mm ratchet spanner, get one or you will spend half an hour undoing that nut!  >:(

I would also recommend greasing all the exposed areas of the cables.
Logged
The Administrator.

TheBoy

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Brackley, Northants
  • Posts: 107003
  • I Like Lockdown
    • Whatever Starts
    • View Profile
Re: Handbrake lever travel
« Reply #5 on: 05 October 2006, 16:13:30 »
Quote
To add to this as I changed the handbrake cable and so had to reset the brakes for a friend last weekend...

It is not a difficult job but to do properly you MUST release the handbrake cable so there is not any tension on the cable.

Once you have the back end on axle stands go round all the nuts that hold the heat shields on and spray copious amounts of penetrating fluid on them. Also use the little straw to spray between the shield and the car body.

Leave to soak for 30 mins.

Come back and re-spray then try and undo them.

If you don't do this you will snap them all off as they really rust on!

The hadbrake cable adjuster sits behind the propshaft so access is rather limited.
If you don't have a 13mm ratchet spanner, get one or you will spend half an hour undoing that nut!  >:(

I would also recommend greasing all the exposed areas of the cables.
Fancy doing mine LB? ;)
Logged
Grumpy old man

The Barge Captain

  • Omega Knight
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Bristol
  • Posts: 1758
  • Back in the land of the economicaly active
    • View Profile
Re: Handbrake lever travel
« Reply #6 on: 05 October 2006, 16:16:53 »
Exactly how I did it earlier this week. Still sheared one stud off though >:(

Pain in the arse adjusting the drums though.
Logged
Thou art no more an angel filled with light, but a leech to be abhorred and thou shalt suffer my burning will...

Admin

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • 0
  • Posts: 2595
    • View Profile
Re: Handbrake lever travel
« Reply #7 on: 05 October 2006, 17:26:36 »
If you sheared just one you have done very well! :)

And Jaime... no thanks mate, certainly not one of my favourite jobs!  ;)
Logged
The Administrator.

TheBoy

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Brackley, Northants
  • Posts: 107003
  • I Like Lockdown
    • Whatever Starts
    • View Profile
Re: Handbrake lever travel
« Reply #8 on: 05 October 2006, 18:09:18 »
Quote

And Jaime... no thanks mate, certainly not one of my favourite jobs!  ;)
Bugger  >:(   ;)
Logged
Grumpy old man

Andy B

  • Get A Life!!
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Bury Lancs
  • Posts: 39768
    • ML350 TDM SmartRoadster
    • View Profile
Re: Handbrake lever travel
« Reply #9 on: 05 October 2006, 18:11:49 »
Quote
Hi guys

What's the normal handbrake travel on your Omegas? Mine seems to be way too high, about 6 or 7 clicks ...........
Just a couple of clicks on mine - [size=14]N[/size] [size=14]R[/size] then [size=14]P[/size]!  ::)
Logged

TheBoy

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Brackley, Northants
  • Posts: 107003
  • I Like Lockdown
    • Whatever Starts
    • View Profile
Re: Handbrake lever travel
« Reply #10 on: 05 October 2006, 18:13:11 »
Quote
Quote
Hi guys

What's the normal handbrake travel on your Omegas? Mine seems to be way too high, about 6 or 7 clicks ...........
Just a couple of clicks on mine - [size=14]N[/size] [size=14]R[/size] then [size=14]P[/size]!  ::)
I used to do that, until the next MOT when the cable had seized and it failed :(
Logged
Grumpy old man

Paul M

  • Omega Knight
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Edinburgh
  • Posts: 1528
    • View Profile
Re: Handbrake lever travel
« Reply #11 on: 05 October 2006, 23:23:13 »
Quote
Quote
Hi guys

What's the normal handbrake travel on your Omegas? Mine seems to be way too high, about 6 or 7 clicks ...........
Just a couple of clicks on mine - [size=14]N[/size] [size=14]R[/size] then [size=14]P[/size]!  ::)

LMAO.... the american way! That'll be why someone nearly rolled into me every time we had to stop on one of san francisco's many mammoth hills, slush tronic or not it's gonna roll back unless you use the handbrake :D

BTW How do you manage without cupholders in the Omega?
Logged

JasonH

  • Omega Knight
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Bristol
  • Posts: 1098
    • View Profile
Re: Handbrake lever travel
« Reply #12 on: 06 October 2006, 08:15:30 »
The cable adjuster is quite easy to get to really, just drop off one heatshield (something like 4 x 10mm nuts) and you can get to the cable adjuster.
Logged

Admin

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • 0
  • Posts: 2595
    • View Profile
Re: Handbrake lever travel
« Reply #13 on: 06 October 2006, 08:26:58 »
Removing both makes life easier (but increases the chances of shearing one). ;)

Ratchet spanner really makes things easier undoing the adjuster...(relatively speaking!)
Logged
The Administrator.

RonaldMcBurger

  • Guest
Re: Handbrake lever travel
« Reply #14 on: 06 October 2006, 08:37:38 »
Great guide there Laidback, but you forgot to mention it is best when it is throwing rain down and you can swear a lot doing it. I am surprised you don't want to do Jaimes one! ;D ;D ;D you seemed to enjoy that so much last weekend!

I would add that the car Laidback was working on is one of those cars that you wish you hadn't offered!
Logged
Pages: [1] 2  All   Go Up
« previous next »
 

Page created in 0.01 seconds with 16 queries.