Talking of handbrakes, mine is b****red.
I changed the pads 2 weeks back, adjusted the handbrake and all has been fine.
Tonight I went out, 15 min drive to destination.
I get there and the rear left drum is scorching hot and smoking big time. The rear right is perfectly fine.
What has caused only one side to do that, and considering it was fine for two weeks I dont understand it.
I slackened off the handbrake bolt, pushed the brakes a few times, but the rear left is still binding when off
Any ideas??
John
I've found the problem to be the handbrake lever-arm which is pivoted onto a shoe (the shoe towards the rear of the car) at the top. The handbrake cable is attached to the other end of this arm (at the bottom of the break assembly).
It is this pivot which tends to seize-up, particularly if the handbrake is not used often enough (parking only).
If you can remove the drum (likely to be the most difficult part of the whole operation), you can easily check this by having a helper apply the handbrake a few times while you watch for any movement.
If free, the bottom end of the lever should move towards the front of the car when the handbrake is applied and pulled back by a spring when the handbrake is released, about an inch each way.
The first time I've done this I took the whole assembly apart but unless you have all the right equipment - it's a pig of a job!
However, with a little patience and perseverance, a can of WD40 and a medium size screwdriver you can gradually get it to work again:
Gently (through a straw) spray a little WD40 onto the pivot once or twice -- but take great care not to get any oil onto the friction pads -- and let it 'soak in'.
Place the screwdriver through one of wheel-bolt holes (drape a plastic sleeve or tape on the shaft if you are worried about damaging the thread) and try to lever the end where the cable is attached, towards the rear of the car. (Mine was so badly seized-up that I had to tap the end of the lever directly before I got any movement).
Once you get a movement, persevere to leaver (or tap) back and forth, a little at a time adding a touch of WD until you get a full movement and the leaver springs back freely.
Hope this helps, I'll try to add some pic's when I get a chance.
Regards
Mike