Handbrake efficiency

[simonjfoley]

Hi all , I have a 2004 Hymer B654L on an alco chassis, and I can't seem to get the handbrake to work well . I've fitted new shoes and done all the ajustements but still won't hold the van on a fairly mild incline. Any tips would be really appreciated , Simon

 

[TheBig1]

You say you adjusted it, but in the specified order? The handbrake needs adjusting at a few points underneath the van. I will be on my laptop later and post the PDF showing the order and how

 

[ivorantony]

Shoes will need to bed in to the drums before they become effective, so a drive using the handbrake to slow down works, but be mindful of not overheating them,

 

[PP Bear]

Same problem here, new discs and pads and then adjusted exactly to the details below and passed mot, so very happy.

Also worth remembering, that by jacking the rear up, chocking safely and removing just one wheel stud, you can adjust the handbrake with a long slim flat blade screwdriver. Helps as you have the wheel to rotate and gauge the point where it locks and then frees up again, which is far easier than trying to just turn the disc.

 

[L' Hobo]

Hi all , I have a 2004 Hymer B654L on an alco chassis, and I can't seem to get the handbrake to work well . I've fitted new shoes and done all the ajustements but still won't hold the van on a fairly mild incline. Any tips would be really appreciated , Simon

The old practice with brake shoes was to chamfer off the sharp leading edge on the front & back of the shoe. It was supposed to help the bed in quicker?

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[L' Hobo]

Same problem here, new discs and pads and then adjusted exactly to the details below and passed mot, so very happy.

Also worth remembering, that by jacking the rear up, chocking safely and removing just one wheel stud, you can adjust the handbrake with a long slim flat blade screwdriver. Helps as you have the wheel to rotate and gauge the point where it locks and then frees up again, which is far easier than trying to just turn the disc.


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The shoes in the picture could do with a bit of wire brushing.
What I do, if I know that I'll soon need new brake pads etc. is fit them just after the previous MOT so they are bedded in for the next one.

 

[PP Bear]

The old practice with brake shoes was to chamfer off the sharp leading edge on the front & back of the shoe. It was supposed to help the bed in quicker?

That’s the old way when all we had were shoes and drums. Brake shoes have what’s called a self wrapping action, which allowed them to grab the drum and effectively “turn” with the rotation for braking. Could help on handbrake but as the vehicle is stationary when applying, they won’t wrap in the same manner. Apologies if I’ve just taught you to suck eggs as they say

 

[L' Hobo]

That’s the old way when all we had were shoes and drums. Brake shoes have what’s called a self wrapping action, which allowed them to grab the drum and effectively “turn” with the rotation for braking. Could help on handbrake but as the vehicle is stationary when applying, they won’t wrap in the same manner. Apologies if I’ve just taught you to suck eggs as they say

I often have this conversation with my MOT man, "Fiat handbrakes are only supposed to be applied when wheel is stationary" he still applies it on the rolling road when doing the MOT brake test!

 

[PP Bear]

The shoes in the picture could do with a bit of wire brushing.

That was a before shot, so cleaned, all sparkly with new discs and pads as well. It was the most rubbish of weather and failed mot on efficiency, so completed the passengers side with the awning out and got soaked doing the driver side. I did think of turning the van around so I could use the awning the other side, but couldn’t be bothered.

 

[PP Bear]

I often have this conversation with my MOT man, "Fiat handbrakes are only supposed to be applied when wheel is stationary" he still applies it on the rolling road when doing the MOT brake test!

Agghhhh he’d get a quick word of warning if he did that to mine. On the mot test they roll the wheels while applying the handbrake, makes you wonder if they actually understand how they work, or just following the way they’ve been taught. Same with the old army Landrovers and the transmission brake, many an idiot soldier or officer got a short sharp bollocking when they thought they could pull it on while still moving and have the vehicle bounce about like a boat.

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[TheBig1]

attached x250 adjustment pdf

 

[tonyidle]

The old practice with brake shoes was to chamfer off the sharp leading edge on the front & back of the shoe. It was supposed to help the bed in quicker?

The chamfer was to prevent grab - not relevant to handbrake.

 

[busbuddy]

I often have this conversation with my MOT man, "Fiat handbrakes are only supposed to be applied when wheel is stationary" he still applies it on the rolling road when doing the MOT brake test!

I was of the understanding that the wheels have to be rolling during the test as the handbrake is to be applied gradually noting the performance until they lock up.
On air braked/electric handbrake vehicles it's different as there is no gradual application...its on or off.

 

[gus-lopez]

Agghhhh he’d get a quick word of warning if he did that to mine. On the mot test they roll the wheels while applying the handbrake, makes you wonder if they actually understand how they work, or just following the way they’ve been taught. Same with the old army Landrovers and the transmission brake, many an idiot soldier or officer got a short sharp bollocking when they thought they could pull it on while still moving and have the vehicle bounce about like a boat.

actual requirement here on a spanish test. In neutral & handbrake pulled on. Mine usually throws itself out of the rollers

 

[pappajohn]

makes you wonder if they actually understand how they work,

Testers are doing it as it's meant to be done.
The 'hand'brake isnt for parking.....it's primary use is an emergency brake if the service brake fails.
It's secondary use is as a parking brake.
No good if it can't stop a runaway.

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[68c]

Good luck getting those small 'drum in a disc' park brakes to work well. Hard enough with the previous 'drum only' rear brakes, which are also the handbrake, even though they have much bigger shoes.

 

[L' Hobo]

Testers are doing it as it's meant to be done.
The 'hand'brake isnt for parking.....it's primary use is an emergency brake if the service brake fails.
It's secondary use is as a parking brake.
No good if it can't stop a runaway.

I'm sorry but I have to disagree with you.
Now that all vehicles have a dual braking system (separate front & back wheel braking) you are really in trouble if you lost both.

With the 'top hat' braking system, where the handbrake shoes are inside the disc, these are only a parking brake and are so small they could never stop a runaway 3.5 ton M/H.

 

[tacr2man]

MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles - 1. Brakes - Guidance - GOV.UK

Brake condition and operation, service brakes, secondary brakes, parking brakes, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic braking system (EBS) and brake fluid rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.

www.gov.uk

Rolling brake test req. unless etc.

Fitting new shoes of good quality can improve the efficiency , as old linings can glaze , or harden over time . JMHE

 

[PP Bear]

MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles - 1. Brakes - Guidance - GOV.UK

Brake condition and operation, service brakes, secondary brakes, parking brakes, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic braking system (EBS) and brake fluid rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.

www.gov.uk

Rolling brake test req. unless etc.

Fitting new shoes of good quality can improve the efficiency , as old linings can glaze , or harden over time . JMHE

Took a rough file to mine, there’s so much meat on them that skimming away the glaze with a bastard file, left them in a healthy way. Proper adjustment is the key, but so many places to adjust it’s difficult to get it right without the tiny loss of efficiency in each link.

My car’s handbrake operates the rear pads against the disc and self adjusting and operate really well. Still going strong after 18 years of use

 

[L' Hobo]

MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles - 1. Brakes - Guidance - GOV.UK

Brake condition and operation, service brakes, secondary brakes, parking brakes, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic braking system (EBS) and brake fluid rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.

www.gov.uk

Rolling brake test req. unless etc.

Fitting new shoes of good quality can improve the efficiency , as old linings can glaze , or harden over time . JMHE

As it says, some vehicles are not suitable for rolling road tests and SHOULD use a plate or gradient test BUT as most test stations do not have this facility, most use a rolling road.

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