Handbrake - help needed

[mr orange]

Hi,

 

Before I get torn apart for posting when you may think there is already an answer out there, please read carefully!

 

The handbrake on my Z needs adjusting - currently I have to give it a really firm pull to make sure it sticks, and this doesn't exactly fill me with confidence when leaving it parked on a hill etc.

 

I have a basic toolkit and have seen the nut under the ashtray that we are supposed to adjust - but can someone possibly give me a really clear step-by-step guide to tightening the cable please? I have seen the service manual instruction but that seemed ambiguous to me.

 

I can't get this wrong and leave it not working because I regularly park on a hill!

 

Thanks in advance

[M13KYF]

have you had a look in the guides section

[mr orange]

Aye, just points to the service manual but I'm afraid I'm too thick to understand the service manual!

[UNABASHED]

if your that worried just get it done at a garage, I remember Nissan actually did it for free as part of my service

[stanski]

Yup Nissan always adjusted mine on a service for free.

[Cragus]

Take the rear wheels off and on the rear hub you will see a small rubber disc

 

Here is a pic (rubber disc is on the left):

http://image.modified.com/f/27514453/mo ... brakes.jpg

 

Pull this rubber disc away - you need to line this hole up so it reveals a small cog (hazard a guess at abround the 100 0 clock position). Turning this cog will tighten the handbrake but I have no memory of which direction you need to turn it? Same number of clicks each side also I believe.

 

I hope this helps - someone more knowledgeable might be able to correct me or help you more!

[BulletMagnet]

Or....park on a hill in first gear

[DoogyRev]

Or....park on a hill in first gear

 

I was always told to use second gear when parking on a hill

[mr orange]

Thanks guys

 

I mean the nut behind the ashtray - I'm going to get stuck in there with some pliers tonight and see what happens - all I can find in this and other forums is people saying "2 minute job" without saying how!

 

[ZMANALEX]

Thanks guys

 

I mean the nut behind the ashtray - I'm going to get stuck in there with some pliers tonight and see what happens - all I can find in this and other forums is people saying "2 minute job" without saying how!

 

 

 

You sound like a bloody dentist

 

You require an extended 10mm socket to adjust the front hand brake cable, not a pair of pliers, but this should only be done once the rear handbrake shoes are adjusted.

 

Best to do what Craig suggested earlier and adjust up the rear brake shoes albeit his procedure was a bit vague to say the least but good effort none the less.

 

If you require clerification on how to adjust up the rear handbrake shoes then just give me a shout or if you wish to simply proceed armed with pliers in hand, then good luck to you mate.

[mr orange]

 

You sound like a bloody dentist

 

Well all i am asking is "Is it safe?.. Is It Safe??" (marathon man)

 

You've scared me off messing around with the nut, it would be an absolute disaster if the handbrake stopped working so I'll just leave it as it is at the moment and get it fixed next time she's in the garage.

 

*Unless* someone can give me a handy guide to adjusting the nut behind the ashtray and suggests it's safe!!

 

Thanks for all the answers

[nixy]

Mine has been crap for 3 years - had to put it on with both hands and also leave the car in gear. Last service i mentioned it and they adjusted it at no cost - its great now (but i still leave it in gear......)

[Cragus]

Adjust the rear brake shoes first as Alex has suggested. I have tried to give you a brief description of how to do this (to the best of my ability )but he is offered to talk you through it - he know his stuff so if you are going to do it have a chat with him first.....otherwise I leave it to the garage

[SteveW]

Mine has been adjusted by myself, its also been adjusted by Nissan and at the end of the day its still a @*!# handbrake.

 

I'm a pretty strong lad and on steep hills it takes a proper hard tug to get it to stop the car.

 

Whilst the car is excellent the handbrake is shite whether its adjusted or not - thats my opinion anyway.

 

I seem to recall way to adjust it is to:

 

Jack up all the back end with the wheels off the floor

1) take rear wheels off and release handbrake

2) remove rubber plugs in rear brake disks, 1 per disk

3) rotate hole which had the rubber plug in to 12 o'clock(cog is at 12 o'clock position) IIRC )if not its at 6 o'clcok)

4) roate cog with a flat baded screwdriver one click at a time until the wheels start to lock up (I think on the drivers side you rotate the top of the cog towards the passenger side and on the passenger side the bottom of the cog to the drivers side, if after 10 clicks of the cog the wheels are still free to rotate try the other way 20 clicks)

5) when cogs have been rotated to point where wheels lock up rotate cogs 5-7 clicks in other direction, ensure wheels are free to rotate and don't rub.

6) Get in car and pull up handbrake counting clicks, you wanna aim for 6 - 7. If less clicks loosen the nut on the handbrake with the extended 10mm socket if more than tighten it abit.

7) release handbrake and repeat until you have 6-7 clicks.

8) release handbrake jump out of car and check wheels are free to rotate

9) reapply handbrake, check wheels are locked.

10)put wheels back on

11)bish bash bosh brew time

 

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