New super-advanced top secret guide!

[hotel21]

And blue air when the handbrake shoes start grating against the inside of the drums, screaming for a rebuild....

[Kevin Wood]

Does the handbrake have an automatic adjuster?
I thought it was manual, given the need to adjust it through the hole in the brake disc after putting it together.

May be wrong though. Also, I would have thought an automatic adjuster would work when the wheel is stopped, i.e. each time the hand brake is applied anyway?

Kevin

[Pitchfork]

I don't think that the handbrakes are auto-adjust, but I know that they can be adjusted manually through the hub. The method advocated in this thread did not work for me & the handbrake is still as useless as it ever has been, especially with a heavy load in the back
I think that this method of adjustment must have been a fluke
IW

[Dave-C]

Bet your rear hub was full of sh!te, shoes were glazed over, and all is now clear, hence the brake working?  

Grabbing a handfull at speed is not something I would suggest for cars of a 'certain age' as pulling on the handbrake at anything over a couple of miles per hour can cause the shoes to rotate within the hub and pull the steady pins (and springs) free from the rusting backing plate (or snap the rusty pins) and cause a mechanical cockup within the hub, requiring a stripdown and rebuild to repair.....
Just my tuppence, you understand....  

HtH

b

Mmmmmmmmm!  I'll go with that, it's a parking brake first and foremost!  To be applied when vehicle stationary..... DC

[Taxi_Driver]

I never ever use mine......so its not going to get worn out....ever  

[Andy B]

I never ever use mine......so its not going to get worn out....ever  

    I got shouted at    for admitting that P was usually my 'handbrake'!  

[TheBoy]

I never ever use mine......so its not going to get worn out....ever  

I never used to, being a lazy git.  A £245 bill to get it through MOT means I always use it now

[Matchless]

The Omega hand brake is not self-adjusting. The clunks you heard were the shoes rotating with the drum and hitting their stops, which proves that your handbrake needs to be adjusted properly.

The omega handbrake is only used as a parking brake, it doesn't see any rotation in normal use so the shoes never bed-in to the shape of the drum which can lead to poor performance. Rust can also build up on the drum surface if the brake is never applied (TB) and can lead to very vilolent snatching if you ever have to use the brake in an emergency (unlikely given twin circuits). I keep my handbrake in good condition by using it to control the reverse off the drive in the morning (autobox) which keeps the drum and shoes rust-free then I adjust at each annual service, and remove the drum for cleaning and lube every two years.

[Markjay]

I never ever use mine......so its not going to get worn out....ever  

It's not going to get worn even if you do use it.... ever. There is no rotational friction when the car is stationary so no wear...

But if you don't use it, it will rust as others here said and as TB found out....

[Markjay]

AA told me about this....:

[TheBoy]

The Omega hand brake is not self-adjusting. The clunks you heard were the shoes rotating with the drum and hitting their stops, which proves that your handbrake needs to be adjusted properly.

The omega handbrake is only used as a parking brake, it doesn't see any rotation in normal use so the shoes never bed-in to the shape of the drum which can lead to poor performance. Rust can also build up on the drum surface if the brake is never applied (TB) and can lead to very vilolent snatching if you ever have to use the brake in an emergency (unlikely given twin circuits). I keep my handbrake in good condition by using it to control the reverse off the drive in the morning (autobox) which keeps the drum and shoes rust-free then I adjust at each annual service, and remove the drum for cleaning and lube every two years.

My problem was not only problems with the shoes and associated mech, but also some very seized cables....

[Markjay]

The Omega hand brake is not self-adjusting. The clunks you heard were the shoes rotating with the drum and hitting their stops, which proves that your handbrake needs to be adjusted properly.

The omega handbrake is only used as a parking brake, it doesn't see any rotation in normal use so the shoes never bed-in to the shape of the drum which can lead to poor performance. Rust can also build up on the drum surface if the brake is never applied (TB) and can lead to very vilolent snatching if you ever have to use the brake in an emergency (unlikely given twin circuits). I keep my handbrake in good condition by using it to control the reverse off the drive in the morning (autobox) which keeps the drum and shoes rust-free then I adjust at each annual service, and remove the drum for cleaning and lube every two years.

My problem was not only problems with the shoes and associated mech, but also some very seized cables....

Classic case of use-it-or-loose-it...  

[theolodian]

The Omega hand brake is not self-adjusting. The clunks you heard were the shoes rotating with the drum and hitting their stops, which proves that your handbrake needs to be adjusted properly.

The omega handbrake is only used as a parking brake, it doesn't see any rotation in normal use so the shoes never bed-in to the shape of the drum which can lead to poor performance. Rust can also build up on the drum surface if the brake is never applied (TB) and can lead to very vilolent snatching if you ever have to use the brake in an emergency (unlikely given twin circuits). I keep my handbrake in good condition by using it to control the reverse off the drive in the morning (autobox) which keeps the drum and shoes rust-free then I adjust at each annual service, and remove the drum for cleaning and lube every two years.

Cheers, that describes it exactly.  It was snug just after, but then wasn't any better the next time I drove, clunked again and was tight, then loose again.  Guess I know where to start with the adjustment.  I am going to have to bodge it anyway.  I don't have any jackstands so I am NOT getting under the middle of the car.  Autobox will have to suffer along as well.

[TheBoy]

The Omega hand brake is not self-adjusting. The clunks you heard were the shoes rotating with the drum and hitting their stops, which proves that your handbrake needs to be adjusted properly.

The omega handbrake is only used as a parking brake, it doesn't see any rotation in normal use so the shoes never bed-in to the shape of the drum which can lead to poor performance. Rust can also build up on the drum surface if the brake is never applied (TB) and can lead to very vilolent snatching if you ever have to use the brake in an emergency (unlikely given twin circuits). I keep my handbrake in good condition by using it to control the reverse off the drive in the morning (autobox) which keeps the drum and shoes rust-free then I adjust at each annual service, and remove the drum for cleaning and lube every two years.

Cheers, that describes it exactly.  It was snug just after, but then wasn't any better the next time I drove, clunked again and was tight, then loose again.  Guess I know where to start with the adjustment.  I am going to have to bodge it anyway.  I don't have any jackstands so I am NOT getting under the middle of the car.  Autobox will have to suffer along as well.

I can loan you a set on axle stands.  Unfortunately, I need the only jack I trust almost daily until this tractor is sorted...