FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

The one thing that went wrong on the trip back from London was the handbrake came loose.

Jacked it up and checked everything - wheels off etc even though I found the tension bar (I call it that, its the bar the cable from the handbrake comes to and also the clevis pin? not sure) had come off. I just wanted to check the brakes etc. out while I had the chance.

Anyway, at the passenger side the end of this bar looks a bit like a bent finger and it sits in a bracket bolted to the underside - I have a pic of what it was like when I collected the car, I took about 25 photos of all angles under the ute. You can see where the bar goes into the bracket, well I put it all back in place, connected the cable back onto the handbrake itself and it all worked. I went out this evening (yes I am 9 hours behind you guys) and when I released the handbrake the bar came out again.

Is there a pin or something else I am missing to sit this back in correctly? Or is there something inherently odd to make it keep doing this?

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ballymackibbot/clevis1.jpg)

Thanks again for the advice!

That all looks normal, is the handbrake adjusted correctly?
If you leave the car out of gear does the handbrake work properly?

It looks normal as it was working then. During the trip when I pulled it I heard a clunk and the cable went slack. I put it back on as per the photo and it worked but when I relaeased it it fell off again - weird.....

It was properly connected and well adjusted.

From the picture the front handbrake cable looks to be stretched/wrongly adjusted causing the horizontal lever to be at the wrong angle, leading to the lever coming adrift where the finger area retains it in the slotted area of the handbrake mount.

How far does the handbrake come out of the dash? It should only move about 5-10 clicks. Process is to disconnect the rear/front cables, adjust the rear handbrake lever position inside the rear brake area (drums off), reconnect the front/rear cables and adjust front cable to obtain correct handbrake operation at dash. If you can't set it up using this method then the cables are most likely stretched. If this is the case you can buy a small fitting that reduces cable length, possibly a better option as you won't be able to duck down to the local auto parts shop and pick up a new one  ;D

Cheers,

Craig

blew the picture up and possibly the end of the lever is worn, causing it to jump out?

(http://i22.tinypic.com/b5gvo0.jpg)

The lever is on backwards  :P

Turn it around so the indent on the cross lever is facing the rear. It still looks worn on the end though, as shown in the last picture I posted.

Once you've turned it around adjust the hanbrake system and it should be OK.

Yep , the long lever should be turned the other way
Seb.

Well spotted Craig, just shows how much time I spend under my car  ::)

good work there Craig, I looked at it for a long time but hadnt noticed it was arse about.

I just stick my wagon in "P" normally.

Yep, thought it looked funny. I'll add my 2 bobs worth.
BTW, like your ute.
Colin.

OK - thanks guys. I will try the reversing and see if all goes well before going any further. I have a couple of manuals but they don't have any pics of the fc handbrake.

Sorted.

Took 15 minutes and while I was at it I adjusted it up a bit as you had tyo pull all the way out to get it to bite.

Thanks for the tips.

(backwards - wonder was that the pom?)