Tightening handbrake cable

mr-charisma · Post by **mr-charisma** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:15 pm

Probably a stupid question, but does anyone know how to tighten the handbrake cable? just want to check before I go messing around with it & stuffing soemthing up

Post by **BorepYano** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:22 pm

there is a DIY for it... remember reading it but cant rememebr where now lol

um... tighten it from under the center console thingo (under where the 6 stacker would be)

mr-charisma · Post by **mr-charisma** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:33 pm

I'll see if i can post some pics to see if I need to tighten the bolt i'm thinking I need to..

FtoSam · Post by **FtoSam** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:04 pm

take it to a brake shop for a check up... theres a chance one of the rear calipers is siezed... one of mine is... and thats the problem...

But could be just the cable... but i'd check the brake caliper first... (mine was passenger side)

pimped · Post by **pimped** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:52 pm

Turn the nut under the cup holder to tighten and loosen the hand brake. See pic below:

FTOnick · Post by **FTOnick** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:09 pm

is this very sensitive? how far do you need to wind the nut to get it much tighter? it won't snap if i do it too far will it?

mr-charisma · Post by **mr-charisma** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:37 pm

the one on the left hand side of the pic?

Post by **I8A4RE** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:37 pm

No you would have to do it insanely tight to break it, if thats even possible. Just tighten, check tighten check until you are happy

pimped · Post by **pimped** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:07 am

mr-charisma wrote:the one on the left hand side of the pic?

yep. that's it.

Post by **Bennoz** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:13 am

If you wind it up more than 10mm to get it tight, its probably time to think about replacing the cables. They do stretch over time & the FTO is notorious for having a really poor lever angle on the hand brake system. Even new, you need to wrench the handle up tight to stop it from rolling.

mr-charisma · Post by **mr-charisma** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:11 pm

If I have to replace the cables, please tell me I only need to replace the short section up to where it splits off into the two cables..

Post by **I8A4RE** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:11 pm

No you may need to replace the long ones. However my handbrake works awesome but yes they do stretch over time. But before you get too carried away whats the problem

Post by **Bennoz** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:20 pm

Check your rear pads as well. If they are low, you'll loose tension as well.

FTOnick · Post by **FTOnick** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:44 pm

I tried to tighten my handbrake but it is so hard to get something into the little hole. My thing seems to be as tight as i can get it but the handbrake is still so weak

My brake pads are in good nick too.

Post by **I8A4RE** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:22 pm

FTOnick wrote:but it is so hard to get something into the little hole. My thing seems to be as tight

Yeah i suffer from the same problem

maggsy · Post by **maggsy** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:14 am

I8A4RE wrote:
FTOnick wrote:but it is so hard to get something into the little hole. My thing seems to be as tight
Yeah i suffer from the same problem

eThix · Post by **eThix** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:40 am

Yeah i had to do this on my FTO, it was pretty easy work, you shouldn't have any troubles.

FTOnick · Post by **FTOnick** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:50 pm

I8A4RE wrote:
FTOnick wrote:but it is so hard to get something into the little hole. My thing seems to be as tight
Yeah i suffer from the same problem

But really.. i think i have got it as tight as it can go and its so weak

mr-charisma · Post by **mr-charisma** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:39 pm

Just take out the entire rear console, cupholder & all .. easy.