handbrake adjustment

[cruiser056]

Gday all,
               I have an early commodore disc brake diff in my FE Sedan, and I need to adjust the handbrake at the diff for better operation.  Can anyone assist me in the process required to adjust the handbrake cable at the diff please.
               I am trying to avoid buying a workshop manual for an early commodore when this is all i require.  Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Michael

[Martin]

Can't help, Michael, but check out your local library for a manual.

Martin

[nicko]

to do VN rear handbrake put diff up on axle stands remove any slack from handbrake cable with relay rod nuts,remove wheels remove disc then adjust handbrake shoes to 159.5mm outside diameter using the adjuster and a pair of calpers(if no calipers adjust till you can put disc back on and turn with no drag)then bolt it all back together and pull on handbrake a few times to set the brake shoes                                                   ,then you should be right,
vc to vl rear discs should be very similar process.

[cruiser056]

Nicko,
          Thanks for the info, I will give it a crack over the weekend.  Thanks again

Martin,
           I honestly never thought of the local library for the workshop manual, thanks

Michael

[Dr_Terry]

Hi Michael.

You didn't mention which model Commodore the diff was out of, but it's probably VB to VL.

On these diffs the handbrake is a small drum brake inside the hat of the rear disc. They have a little slot at the bottom, to adjust the shoes just like EH & later drum brakes. Disconnect or back-off the handbrake cable at the front lever, adjust the 2 sets of rear shoes in the same fashion as EH drums (adjust up until they bind, then back-off just enough so they spin freely). Then re-attach the front cable & adjust it as required.

This only works on VB to VL rears, because their handbrake cable enters the assembly at the top, that way the adjuster is at the bottom & accessible thru the slot. For some reason, on VN to VS rears, which use the same drum handbrake, GM-H rotated the assemblies & swapped them left to right. Consequently, on these models the cable is at the bottom & the adjuster at the top, but no slot. The adjustment procedure on the VN to VS is to R & R the caliper & disc to gain access !!!

Dr Terry.

[cruiser056]

Dr Terry,
              Thanks for the explanation, I am going to have a go at it this morning, I will have a look at where the cable enters the rear of the brakes on the diff.  From memory I think it is the top, which then makes it the VB - VL as you indicated.  This should make it easier to adjust.

Many thanks to everyone for their advice, I will let you know how I get on.

Michael

[cruiser056]

Gday all,
              Well it appears the diff is from a VN commodore and I had to remove the disc so to gain access to the adjuster.  No worries though, everything was as explained to me and the handbrake now works fine.

               Thanks again to everyone for their advice.

Michael