MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: Craigjm on May 4, 2023, 19:46

Title: Handbrake not holding on one side
Post by: Craigjm on May 4, 2023, 19:46
Car needed new pads and discs all round so I decided to get the calipers refurbed and painted at the same time. Had it all fitted today and the foot brake works fine and the handbrake holds great on the passenger side but not at all on the drivers side so it slides. Any ideas? I haven't replaced the cables and they are in good condition. They were tied up for a week or so while the car had no brakes having the calipers refurbed
Title: Re: Handbrake not holding on one side
Post by: normanh on May 4, 2023, 20:04
Are the cables showing free movement back to the handbrake adjuster? Might be the O/S has seized?

Norman
Title: Re: Handbrake not holding on one side
Post by: Ardent on May 4, 2023, 20:38
@Craigjm
Was it working before?
Title: Re: Handbrake not holding on one side
Post by: Craigjm on May 4, 2023, 20:52
Yeah they were working fine before and the passenger side is working fine now. With the one that isn't working it pulls on the caliper the caliper just doesn't react. It works fine in normal
Braking though
Title: Re: Handbrake not holding on one side
Post by: Ardent on May 4, 2023, 21:18
Sounding like they may not have put back the little pin (parking brake strut) that acts on the piston when the crank arm is activated.

Put a socket on the crank arm and move it.  If the piston is not moving therefore not clamping the disc. Suggests issue with the refurb.
Title: Re: Handbrake not holding on one side
Post by: Craigjm on May 4, 2023, 21:26
Yeah I have also messaged the guy that did the refurb as it crossed my mind something is missing when he put it back together.
Title: Re: Handbrake not holding on one side
Post by: 1979scotte on May 4, 2023, 21:29
Who did the refurbishment?
Title: Re: Handbrake not holding on one side
Post by: Joesson on May 4, 2023, 21:52
If the calipers were reassembled correctly then it could be the alignment of the caliper piston with the pad.
The caliper piston has two Vee groves that must be set to a vertical position for the pegs on the back of the pads to engage.
The piston is moved by the handbrake lever mechanism rotating the screw inside the caliper. If the pad pegs are not engaged in the caliper piston slot the rotation is not effective in moving the piston, it will simply rotate.
To check, ensure piston Vee grooves are vertical, check pegs are in position on rear of pad facing the piston.
Title: Re: Handbrake not holding on one side
Post by: MrChris on May 4, 2023, 23:59
Quote from: Ardent on May  4, 2023, 21:18Sounding like they may not have put back the little pin (parking brake strut) that acts on the piston when the crank arm is activated.

Put a socket on the crank arm and move it.  If the piston is not moving therefore not clamping the disc. Suggests issue with the refurb.

Good advice from all but @Ardent's advice that I've quoted is key.

Do the following:


Let us know how you get on after these steps.