Xantia handbrake

Unread post by **froggy** » 23 May 2011, 11:39

Hi, I want to adjust the handbrake on my 1997 td . Do I adjust it at the caliper end ? At the moment I have to fully extend the handbrake to get the car to hold. any advice gratefully rceived.
Cheers Terry

Unread post by **RichardW** » 23 May 2011, 12:13

I rather suspect it needs more than adjusting...

It should auto adjust - just stand on the brake pedal as hard as you can 3 or 4 times, and it should adjsut up. If not, then you need to find out why. My guess is that one of the cables is seized or broken - check that each operating lever is being pulled up at the caliper. Surprisingly, despite looking like a right git, changing Xantia handbrake cables is a relatively straight forward job

VertVega · Unread post by **VertVega** » 23 May 2011, 12:39

RichardW wrote:I rather suspect it needs more than adjusting...

That's right, this case sounds like one of the hand brake cables has a loose end (under the car, near handbrake lever).
Did you recently change brake pads or front wheel bearings?

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 23 May 2011, 12:43

as Richards says but it is best to try the press hard on the pedle trick with the car on level ground, like a petrol station forcourt, hand brake off, engine running,

but dont stamp on it just press very hard 2 to 3 times,

this trick will not work if either or both the calliper levers are not fully off,

this is partly why Richard says check the cables because if they arnt in good order they can hold the calliper lever on a bit,

which does stop the mechanisum adjusting,

regards malcolm