Offroad-Express

how do I adjust the hand brake on my truck? Iv'e just replaced the shoes on my rear drums and now my hand brake when i engage it doesn't hold the weight of the truck on a small incline. I've tried shortening the cable adjuster but hasn't made much difference.

First you should have like the Tui add does put the shoes in a clear part of the driveway to attract the Handbrake

All Joking asside there is a small window in the bottom of the back of the brake (when assembled) you can get a screwdriver (Or Paperclip sorry had to) in there and wind the adjuster up.

the otherway is jack the truck up, put on axle stands, remove the wheel's and the handbrake off, then the handbrake actuator (lever that makes it work) can be pushed and pulled back and forward.

The handbrake is auto adjusting and provided assembled right this will adjust it for you do 10 clicks and check you can turn it and keep going till you feel a little resistance then do the other side the same.

After that is done put the wheels back on and you are golden. this is how i do mine

Edited to add:

The adjuster you need to adjust is in the drum hub on each side

lockie wrote:how do I adjust the hand brake on my truck? Iv'e just replaced the shoes on my rear drums and now my hand brake when i engage it doesn't hold the weight of the truck on a small incline. I've tried shortening the cable adjuster but hasn't made much difference.

I am finding it very difficult to contain myself on this one....

I am finding it very difficult to contain myself on this one....

Why is that?
I'm guessn you are the master of all things mechanical? Pretty simple question i asked there requiring a simple answer.
So whats your answer master mechanic???



Thanks for the advice steve t647. yea im aware of the rear brakes are self adjusting and went through the process of adjusting the brakes up using jackstands with the wheels off the ground still not getting enough hold on the handbrake

I'm with you on this one TJ

I think its an impossible task

lockie wrote:

I am finding it very difficult to contain myself on this one....

Why is that?

....still not getting enough hold on the handbrake

Don't take it personally Lockie ...
Some guys refer to their wife as their handbrake ...
In that context asking how to adjust a handbrake opens a whole can of worms and helpful advice that won't stop your truck from rolling on a incline

Unless .... no ... I won't be the one to start it ... at least not until you get your problem sorted.

Have you warn the new brake bads in 1st??, this may help if you haven't ,

Oh and what sort of car/truck you got,?

You can tighten your hand brake by reversing with the hand brake on if uve got a surf, Or somthing toyota with the same sort of running gear as a 1st gen surf. Im not sure if it works here but it did in the states.

dazza85 wrote:

lockie wrote:

I am finding it very difficult to contain myself on this one....

Why is that?

....still not getting enough hold on the handbrake

Don't take it personally Lockie ...
Some guys refer to their wife as their handbrake ...
In that context asking how to adjust a handbrake opens a whole can of worms and helpful advice that won't stop your truck from rolling on a incline

Unless .... no ... I won't be the one to start it ... at least not until you get your problem sorted.

Particularly that you were talking about new shoes as well Many men have spent lifetime trying to figure out "how do I adjust my handbrake" - but normally its the handbrake that holds everything together.

But seriously, I have no reason to doubt your mechanical ability or lack thereof - I have never had a chance to meet you yet.

lockie wrote:

I am finding it very difficult to contain myself on this one....

Why is that?
I'm guessn you are the master of all things mechanical? Pretty simple question i asked there requiring a simple answer.
So whats your answer master mechanic???



Thanks for the advice steve t647. yea im aware of the rear brakes are self adjusting and went through the process of adjusting the brakes up using jackstands with the wheels off the ground still not getting enough hold on the handbrake

Put the truck up on axles stands.
remove wheels.
remove brake drums.
measure inside diameter of brake drum.
measure OUTSIDE diameter of brake shoes as fitted.
Adjust bake adjuster until there is #### all clearance and the drum is hard to put on.
Readjust brakes until you get a sliding fit to re-install brake drum.
NOW adjust using screwdriver in adjustment slot in rear brake backing plate, Its at the bottom.
if no adjustment window, MAKE ONE!!

Bloody self adjusting pieces of shit rank up there with automatic chokes as useless devices.

I tend to agree with Bob ,but after youve done them a couple of times you get the hang of them. Taking them apart and cleaning,greasing them helps,but they will never be Ferrari like

roscoFJ73 wrote:I tend to agree with Bob ,but after youve done them a couple of times you get the hang of them. Taking them apart and cleaning,greasing them helps,but they will never be Ferrari like

Damm good thing they are not Ferrari like, you would apply the hand brake and a few minutes later (after you've turned your back) the thing would still roll down the hill.

80 series hand brakes are notorious for needing constant adjustment, just something that needs to be done if you want it to work.