Offroad-Express

Hello.

I have a SJ413, which has a centre handbrake (i.e. a drum brake attached to the output shaft of transfer case).

It works well. Drum brake does not move when the car is pushed back and forth.
However, there is some play along the output shaft. I suspect it is the universal joints

Is this normal to have some play from transfer case to wheels? Wondering if the vehicle will fail a WOF, because of this play - vehicle can move about 5 cm with handbrake engaged.

Is the play in the transfer or diff? If you can turn the driveshaft slightly without the car moving then the play is probably in the diff.

there should be a small amount of "Backlash" play in the diff if it is set up properly .
The transfer brake should not move , the drive shaft UJ's should not have have any play in any direction.
But is is quite normal for the Truck to be able to be rocked back and forth a little with the transfer handbrake is engaged .
The larger tyres you run, the more this will be exaggerated.
If the UJ's are ok and the diff backlash is within spec and the diff is not "clunking" on take off , I wouldn't worry about it to much.

Thanks Guys,

Yip, no movement at all in transfer case, but the UJs do move slighly when the car is rocked back and forth. I suspect it as you mention, it would be the backlash. Thought it would was UJs, but backlash makes more sense.

Cheers

My old 413 failed quite a few WOF's due to the handbrake, adjusted correctly it still felt soft. Plus the 'haul it on while moving' test would produce a few funky wobbles... Try explaining to the WOF guy how the holding power is actually multiplied through the diff... Eventual solution was to adjust it up til it was dragging, get WOF, then back it off.

Clint