Handbrake springs

juliet.hotel · April 3, 2021, 15:36

Hi

Upon going to adjust the handbrake I've discovered 2 springs of different lengths. They're also hooked on somewhere that doesn't seem right.

The car had new cables and rear calipers just before I bought it in December(handbrake still doesn't perform well though)

Can someone tell me the correct set up please. Are there even supposed to be springs there?

James

Joesson · April 3, 2021, 15:43

@juliet.hotel
These threads may be of help, from the How too's on here:

https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=33557.0

https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=68798.0

PS: I don't believe those springs came with the car.

PPS: Hello and welcome!

Ardent · April 3, 2021, 15:49

Quote from: juliet.hotel on April 3, 2021, 15:36Hi

Upon going to adjust the handbrake I've discovered 2 springs of different lengths. They're also hooked on somewhere that doesn't seem right.

The car had new cables and rear calipers just before I bought it in December(handbrake still doesn't perform well though)

Can someone tell me the correct set up please. Are there even supposed to be springs there?

James

1st things 1st hello and welcome.
As you have already worked out, though Springs should not be there.
The saddle should also be parallel.
Poss.
Cable seized.
Wrong cable fitted.
Not sure what someone was trying to achieve. But the springs have no place there.

Topdownman · April 3, 2021, 15:56

The springs are not standard but I imagine a previous owner has put them on there so that they can do up the adjuster as much as possible to try to fix the issue and have the springs help to stop any drag caused by the tightening up.

I doubt they will do much but probably not doing any harm?

My adjuster is like yours and not centred.

I suspect the rear calipers need a proper clean and set up (preferably by someone who knows what they are doing with them) but the handbrake will never stay working well for very long.

Ardent · April 3, 2021, 15:59

Time to step away. Have a brew and choose the course of action.

Challenge those that fitted. Or.
Right that off and do it properly now.

Ardent · April 3, 2021, 16:03

If sorting yourself. As a reference point. The handbook says 5 to 8 clicks is spec.

Still seems a lot to me, but that is the spec.

Carolyn · April 3, 2021, 16:21

Those springs should not be there and are a symptom of serious brake bodging, so I'd want to have a close look at everything to do with those back brakes!

As others have pointed out -the balance bar should be at 90 degrees to the cables. It's obvious that the springs on the callipers are unable to do the job they should be doing, which is not good. The callipers need to be on the bench and thoroughly gone though.

You may have been told it's had very recent callipers and cables. I'm struggling to believe that.

Call the midlife! · April 3, 2021, 16:35

I've seen that similar set up before, although done much more efficiently so possibly someone has seen the same thread and had a go themselves.
The idea of the springs is to help the cables to return to "off" when the lever is released, works well enough when set up right but as previously stated, it's a DIY adaptation to get around a different issue.

juliet.hotel · April 3, 2021, 20:43

Impressed with the response, thanks.

I wonder if the springs were put there to help cure a problem with dodgy old calipers and not removed when the new ones were put on. I might try to find a couple that are the same length and drill some holes for them to catch on nicely. Can't do any harm having them there.

I've just replaced the clutch(pretty good guide, thanks shnazzle) so am well acquainted with the rear calipers and cables. They look brand new. At some point I'll get round to stripping the calipers and in particular checking and setting up the adjusters, hopefully that'll end up straightening the saddle by the handbrake.

juliet.hotel · April 3, 2021, 20:44

shameless post to get post count up

Gaz mr-s · April 3, 2021, 21:14

I don't know how you'd determine, but there are a few brands of aftermarket cable that are cheaper than the O/E ones, & some don't work very well.

Joesson · April 3, 2021, 21:41

Quote from: juliet.hotel on April 3, 2021, 20:43Impressed with the response, thanks.

I wonder if the springs were put there to help cure a problem with dodgy old calipers and not removed when the new ones were put on. I might try to find a couple that are the same length and drill some holes for them to catch on nicely. Can't do any harm having them there.

In my experience when you find one bodge up look for another one.
As for "can't do any harm" they are for sure not doing any good so best get rid and get back to basics.

Ardent · April 4, 2021, 00:07

What ^^^^^ said.

On these cars. Basics, is a fine place to start, and often end.