Handbrake keeps going slack...

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
T

TaDa

Active Member
Posts
432
Location
Barnstaple or thereabouts
Yesterday I adjusted the handbrake and it was nice and tight - 3 clicks.
The adjustment I made was to the bolt in the handbrake drum.
Less than 24 hours later its now on 6 clicks.
I suspect that the bolt is coming undone - is this a known problem?
 
Is that more likely than the bolt rattling loose?
It was pretty easy to turn the bolt yesterday - I'm wondering if the small dot of blue threadlock was not enough and that I'll have to keep tightening it until I get a chance to take the hand brake apart again and put a bigger blob of loctite on it.
 
TaDa said:
Is that more likely than the bolt rattling loose?
It was pretty easy to turn the bolt yesterday - I'm wondering if the small dot of blue threadlock was not enough and that I'll have to keep tightening it until I get a chance to take the hand brake apart again and put a bigger blob of loctite on it.
Click to expand...


bugger wouldnt do that just incase you cant ever move it again what about a locknut ????????
 
I can't see how a locking nut would work on this one as the bit I would need to lock against (the tensioner mechanism itself) is inside the handbrake drum :-(

The new bolt came with a dab of blue thread lock.
At least, it had a blob of blue something on the bolt and I kinda assumed!
Does anyone know if it is thread lock?
 
I doubt that's thread lock mate - they put paint on the bolt threads to show they've never been used and are new. Did the bolt you removed have thread locker on it? You can get non permanent anearobic adhesive (normally blue) and permanent (normally red) I'd be careful where you use it - you may regret it...
A star washer and a flat washer should stop it vibrating loose.

internal-cup-star-washer.jpg
 
What you could do is remove the bolt and drill a small hole 3mm dia into the side of the threads at right angles to the bolt centre line.
Only drill in say 4mm deep and then insert a piece of nylon plastic or similar (A piece of a BIC pen lid clip would do) into the hole leaving it sitting very slightly proud of the threads.Make sure the plastic insert is a tight fit in the bolt.
When you thread the bolt back in the nylon or plastic will be a tight fit in the adjuster threads but will not damage them.
 
It could easily be threadlock, but almost impossible to determine without, at least, some pics. You can also tighten the bolt by means of centrepunching one of the threads. Thread distortion ( be careful) is a readily used method of locking nuts or bolts.
Just a quick q - are yu talking about adjusting the handbrake linkage, or the brake shoe adjuster? I cannot remember a bolt inside the brake drum.
 
Its the brake shoe adjuster bolt - 17mm head in the recess of the rear facing plate of the handbrake drum.

I guess it could be blue paint but I'm beginning to think this is my first bite from using BritParts (Yes, I know!!).

Tell me, adding a washer and/or deforming the thread/drilling a hole in the bolt (nice ideas but my last resorts I think) will require me to dismantle the whole lot won't it?
If I fully remove that bolt won't the bits inside just fall apart?

I'm rather hoping that I won't have to take off the prop shaft etc etc just to put this right.

Hmm I wonder if there's such a thing as a circlip spring washer...
 
Last edited:
Mine had it on , it is a type of thread lock, won't hurt to put some extra on ,adjust it up then mark it , that way you will see if it's moved.
 
Cool. I'll mark it next time I'm under there and not lying in a puddle like the last time - ugh!

Any opinion out there on whether I can take the bolt all the way out without having to take the prop shaft etc off?
 
Dent said:
If you try to remove it it this bit may drop out
Click to expand...

It doesn't just drop it makes a nice Ping! as it hits the drum :doh:

So for anyone else out there who may be suffering from a loosening handbrake tension adjuster bolt - there are no short cuts - you just have to get under there, undo the rear prop shaft and move it to one side, take off the drum and then fit the bolt properly :mad:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
LT230 Transfer box issues
Replies
3
Views
2K
lynall
L
D
Max park brake adjustment
Replies
12
Views
1K
Dorsetshire landy
D
R
Why doesn't my handbrake work?
Replies
14
Views
2K
Flossie
Flossie
J
300 Tdi engine swap story - and a few questions
Replies
13
Views
2K
doriz
doriz
J
300 Tdi Engine back in, nearly - Story and at the end Questions
Replies
0
Views
709
jer_300Tdi_90
J
Back
Top