4A flexible hose must never be installed
twisted, but a slight “set” is permissible to
give it clearance from adjacent components.
This can be achieved by turning the hose
slightly before fitting the U-shaped retaining
clip to the mounting bracket.
5Rigid pipelines can be made to pattern by
motor factors supplying brake components.
Removal
1Chock the front wheels, loosen the rear
roadwheel nuts, then jack up the rear of the
vehicle and support on axle stands. Release
the handbrake and remove the roadwheels.
2Slacken the handbrake cable adjuster.
3Extract the securing circlip and pivot pin,
and detach the handbrake equaliser from the
linkage on the underbody (see illustration).4On models with a conventional braking
system, remove the brake shoes and
disconnect the handbrake cables from the
operating levers, then disconnect the cables
from the brake backplates by extracting the
U-clips.
5On models with ABS, unhook the
handbrake cables from the operating levers
on the calipers, then disconnect the cables
from the caliper carrier brackets by removing
the retaining circlips (see illustrations).
6On Saloon, Hatchback and Estate models
bend back the tangs and release the cables
from the lower suspension arms, then feed
the cables through the holes in the
suspension crossmember and release them
from the brackets on the underbody, noting
that the right-hand cable is retained by a
circlip (see illustration). Withdraw the cable
assembly from the vehicle.
7On P100 models, release the cables from
the brackets on the chassis crossmember,
noting that the left-hand cable is retained by a
circlip, then unhook the cable support springsand withdraw the cable assembly from the
vehicle (see illustration).
Refitting
8Refitting is a reversal of removal. On
models with a conventional braking system
refit the brake shoes.
9On completion, adjust the cable.
27Handbrake cable -removal
andrefitting
10•20Braking system
27.3 Handbrake equaliser securing circlip
(arrowed) and pivot pin
27.5b Handbrake cable-to-caliper carrier bracket attachment -
ABS
27.7 Handbrake cable support spring (arrowed)27.6 Handbrake cable-to-lower suspension arm attachment
27.5a Handbrake cable-to-operating lever attachment - ABS
Note: Where fitted, the adjuster locking pin
must be renewed on completion of
adjustment.
Conventional braking system
(except P100 models)
1The handbrake cable is normally
self-adjusting in use, however adjustment
may be required to compensate for cable
stretch over a long period, and is also
necessary after fitting a new cable.
2Chock the front wheels, jack up the rear of
the vehicle and support on axle stands (see
“Jacking and Vehicle Support”).Release the
handbrake.
3Unscrew the locknut from the adjuster
located on the left-hand underbody bracket
(see illustration). On later models, a locking
pin is fitted to the bracket to lock the adjuster
nuts in position. Where applicable, remove the
locking pin before unscrewing the locknut.4Apply the footbrake vigorously several
times to set the self-adjuster mechanism.
5Turn the adjuster until the plastic plungers
located in the brake lockplates are free to
turn, and the total movement of both plungers
added together is between 0.5 and 1.0 mm
(0.02 and 0.04 in) (see illustration).
6Tighten the adjuster locknut against the
adjuster nut by hand (two clicks), then tighten
further by a minimum of two and a maximum
of four clicks, using a suitable spanner or
pliers.
7Where applicable, fit a new adjuster locking
pin. The old pin should not be re-used.
8Check that with the handbrake released,
the rear wheels are free to rotate and no brake
“bind” is evident. The handbrake lever travel
should be between two and four clicks of the
ratchet. If brake “bind” or excessive lever
travel is evident, check the handbrake cable
routing, and check the self-adjuster
mechanism for wear or damage.
ABS
9Proceed as described in paragraphs 1 to 3
inclusive.
10Bend back the tangs and release the
cables from the lower suspension arms.
11Ensure that both handbrake operating
levers are returned to their stops on the
calipers, then make alignment marks between
the levers and the caliper bodies (see
illustration).
12Turn the adjuster until either lever just
starts to move, as indicated by the alignment
marks.
13Apply the handbrake and release it
several times to equalise the cable runs.
14With the handbrake released, proceed as
described in paragraphs 6 and 7.
15Refit the cables to the lower suspension
arms, and secure by bending over the tangs.
16Check that with the handbrake released,
the rear wheels are free to rotate and no brake“bind” is evident. The handbrake lever travel
should be between two and four clicks of the
ratchet. If brake “bind” or excessive lever
travel is evident, check the handbrake cable
routing, and check the caliper mechanism for
wear or damage.
P100 models
17Proceed as described in paragraphs 1 to
4 inclusive, but note that the adjuster is
located on the right-hand side of the chassis
crossmember (see illustration).
18Apply the handbrake, pulling the lever
upwards three clicks.
19Turn the adjuster until both rear wheels
are locked and cannot be turned by hand.
20Proceed as described in paragraphs 6
and 7.
21Check that with the handbrake released,
the rear wheels are free to rotate and no brake
“bind” is evident. The handbrake lever travel
should be between three and five clicks of the
ratchet. If brake “bind” or excessive lever
travel is evident, check the handbrake cable
routing, and check the self-adjuster
mechanism for wear or damage.
28Handbrake cable - adjustment
Braking system 10•21
10
28.5 Plastic plunger (arrowed) in brake backplate
28.17 Handbrake cable adjuster on right-
hand side of chassis crossmember28.11 Make alignment marks between
each handbrake operating lever and
caliper body (arrowed) - ABS
28.3 Handbrake cable adjuster on left-hand underbody bracket
(arrowed)
