ZX Estate Handbrake - Can't get one wheel to lock

Keith J · Post by **Keith J** » 23 Aug 2009, 12:08

Hi. I have a 1996 ZX 1.9D Estate. No matter how I try, I can't get the N/S wheel to lock with the handbrake. It had Bendix drum brakes. There are new shoes in both sides. I have had the drums off more times than I care to mention to play with the shoe adjusters.

The cable on the non locking side looks fairly new and in good nick. Even if I adjust the handbrake so both wheels are binding, upon putting the handbrake on, the O/S locks up hard, but I can still rotate the N/S wheel, ( admittedly with a bit of effort), but it failed it's MOT on this. Has anyone had this problem or can anyone advise please?

uncle buck · Post by **uncle buck** » 23 Aug 2009, 13:43

If all of the levers etc are free on the shoes & the drums look to be in decent condition I think it could well be the handbrake cable....it may look ok but it could be stretching when applied so not applying full force.

I had this problem on a Ford Escort quite a few years ago, I assumed the cable was ok as it looked to be in good condition...after fitting new shoes & drums (admittedly the old ones had seen better days) there wasn't hardly any improvement in the handbrake performance, so fitted a new cable & the the handbrake was immediately transformed to perfect.

Cheers.

Keith J · Post by **Keith J** » 23 Aug 2009, 14:11

Thank you. I will look into replacing it.

Featch · Post by **Featch** » 23 Aug 2009, 14:21

The cable would be my choice. You only need a short corroded section of inner wire and the cable won't pull. They're almost a service item on a ZX.

They're cheap to buy and easy to replace. I just did them on my Son's ZX 1.9 D and it transformed the handbrake.
They're different lengths each side (also different drum or disc) and it's probably best to to do both in one go.

Andy

Keith J · Post by **Keith J** » 23 Aug 2009, 15:50

I have checked the cable in question (disconnected both ends) and it is free running, but the adjuster yoke where the cables clip in on the threaded rod behind the handrake is at an angle. The problem side seems shorter than the side that locks up.

I can't get it to even up at all and it seems that the short one is under so much tension that it is pulling the lever on the brake shoe right to the axle. So I am guessing that the other side has stretched and will need replacing to even it all up.

uncle buck · Post by **uncle buck** » 23 Aug 2009, 19:24

Hi,
as Featch recomended I would also replace both cables, that way you know they are both new & with new shoes as you have you should have no more problems for a good while.

Let us know how you get on.

Cheers.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 23 Aug 2009, 19:50

as other say cable,

what happens to these cables as Featch says the inner breaks up and colapse's which increases the length of the inner by quite a lot,

but it coould still be possible to slide the inner in and out,

the other point to look at is the tinny stainless steel paw/blade at the adjuster ratchet, to see if its still in place, as they seem to have a habbit of vanishing,

if this is missing the ratchet will not adjust its self up as its ment to,

and if it were adjusted manualy there is nout to lock it and it can unwind on its own

regards malcolm

Keith J · Post by **Keith J** » 24 Aug 2009, 00:55

Thanks all. The tinny adjuster is there both sides happily. Cable changing time tomorrow. Along with a track rod end and a brake pipe. Oh the joys of motoring. Lol.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 24 Aug 2009, 07:58

one sign of the outter cable colapsing is bulging at some point/s along its length,

also the adjuster ratchets are handed and if fitted the wrong sides they unwind, which un/adjusts the hand brake,

one has a right and the other has a left hand thread,

regards malcolm