MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: Reeflodge on April 16, 2018, 14:05

Title: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: Reeflodge on April 16, 2018, 14:05
I am going to attempt to replace these soon so I came on here looking for some advice and hopefully a walk through but I was amazed that I could not find anything considering how much of a problem the Handbrake is i thought someone would have written one by now!

Watched a Video on Youtube but it wasnt much help as he was changing the fuel pump at the same time and only lowered the tank on one side and removed all connections on fuel pump.
Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: Carolyn on April 16, 2018, 14:58
Plastic bins out.  Centre console out (which means seats out)  Loosen tank so it can drop 3-4 inches (4 bolts).  Don't have to unhook anything else. That will give you enough room to get in and undo cable mounting brackets.
Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: Reeflodge on April 16, 2018, 16:00
Thanks Carolyn
So don't need to disconnect anything on top of the tank?
I'm doing passenger side cable is there anything that may cause a problem?
Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: Carolyn on April 16, 2018, 16:07
no
Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: m1tch on April 16, 2018, 16:53
Also worth noting that I only have the rear 2 screws in the centre console and it holds it in fine - so much less faff when needing to adjust handbrake cables etc as you can easily get to the rear screws.
Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: normanh on April 16, 2018, 18:07
I am amazed how many people take the seats out to remove the centre console, it just isnt necessary, I've been using an angled obstruction screw driver/offset screwdriver for years now takes 5 mins to undo the 4 screws much less hassle than removing the seats.


Norman
Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: Reeflodge on April 17, 2018, 07:15
Quote from: Carolyn on April 16, 2018, 14:58
Plastic bins out.
What is the reason to take the rear bins out?
Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: Carolyn on April 17, 2018, 08:19
Good point.  I actually just take the doors off, so I can get the carpet away from the holes the cables go though.  Never done it any other way.  So perhaps even that is not required.
Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: Smcknighty on April 24, 2018, 21:18
For the bolts for the tank- loosen from below?


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Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: Carolyn on April 25, 2018, 08:44
Yes.  Four of them, as I remember.  If you have aircon, you have to move the tank to one side a little to clear the plumbing.
Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: Joesson on April 25, 2018, 08:58
Quote from: Carolyn on April 17, 2018, 08:19
Good point.  I actually just take the doors off, so I can get the carpet away from the holes the cables go though.  Never done it any other way.  So perhaps even that is not required.


A tip from Michael Caine / The Italian Job?
Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: Smcknighty on May 13, 2018, 17:51
So I'm close, I've cracked the bolts off on the tank, how far can I drop it without disconnecting fuel pipes? Carolyn? Your my only hope!


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Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: Smcknighty on May 13, 2018, 17:51
Never mind, 3-4 inches


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Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: Carolyn on May 13, 2018, 17:54
3-4 inches is all you need.

alright you lot- behave!!
Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: Bossworld on May 13, 2018, 18:21
Having watched Mr Sloan sort this one for me yesterday, I think we were both on tenterhooks at the risk of the A/C pipes being damaged. 

Best of luck, sounds like you're on your way
Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: Smcknighty on May 13, 2018, 20:15
Tried 3-4 inches, my Sherlock Holmes deductions say that Carolyn is a lady with very slender wrist and arms! However 8 inches prevailed. How do I seperate the handbrake cables from the Caliper bracket, I'm assuming there's some kind of clip or a thread of sorts?


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Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: Smcknighty on May 13, 2018, 21:33
Looks like it's a clip, I think the answer is to try and get the road grime and crap off of it and then give it a wiggle with a screwdriver.

Thanks for your help and inspiration Carolyn,  it really wasn't that hard, just tight access. Annoyed I didn't finish it


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Title: Re: Rear Brake Cables
Post by: Smcknighty on May 14, 2018, 20:42
Fate took the opportunity to kick me whilst it had the chance. Finished the school run with a low tyre pressure light on my wife's car. Looked when I got home, couldn't see anything. Jo then drove it to the end of the street and the tire went flat. As it's a hybrid spare tyres aren't a thing, took it to the tyre place locally for a puncture repair, because it's got a nick in the sidewall they won't repair it. And they can't get a tyre till Friday (seriously)... So a rapid handbrake cable finish was required. Quick bit of wire brushing revealed the clip, quick caress with a hammer to remove, more wire brushing and another quick tickle from the hammer to replace. Hammer is my favourite tool to be honest as it's so satisfying. Job done, put everything back together and rejoiced at my still feeble not much better than before handbrake. Should have watched the how to adjust the handbrake video BEFORE I put it back together, still it's driveable which digs me out of that hole!


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