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2004 1.3 how to adjust handbrake - signalyellow
just been servicing the daughters Ka and wanted to tighten the handbrake cable.
Have seen that a cable runs from each rear drum and the dissapears behind the heatshield etc up to the handbrake lever am at a loss of how this adjustment is made unless is automatic

thanks in advance for your help
2004 1.3 how to adjust handbrake - Andrew Moorey (Tune-Up)
The usual problem is that the self adjusters in the rear drums have not clicked up to take out the wear on the shoes. Remove the drums (new nut and dust cover required), wash out the drums, shoes and backplates with brake cleaner and manually click up the auto adjusters by levering the shoes away from each other across the backplate until the eccentric cam moves a couple of clicks.Apply a tiny smear of high melting point grease to the points of contact of shoes and backplate Clean off the wear ridge on the peripery of the drum with a file then refit drum and torque the new hub nut up to the correct figure. (about 250Nm IIRC)
2004 1.3 how to adjust handbrake - TurboD
cables do stretch, but not in 4 years, unless the driver tugs on the HB for dear life!
2004 1.3 how to adjust handbrake - sierraman
cables do stretch but not in 4 years unless the driver tugs on the HB
for dear life!

Many do,I often wince at the sound of an unsympatheetically applied HB,no depression of the ratchet button and an apparent attempt at ripping it free of the floor.
2004 1.3 how to adjust handbrake - signalyellow
thanks lads - something to keep me busy between mince pies!

cheers and happy Xmas
2004 1.3 how to adjust handbrake - piston power
The ka as 4 bolts at the back of the back plate they hold the drum on no need to undo the wheel bearing nut you can damage the bearing.

Remove these remove the drum complete with stub axle and clean/inspect rear shoes and wheel cylinders, The drum may have a lip on rub this down nice and flat with emery roll that fits in your drill.

Then adjust shoes up to suit, your looking for approx 4 clicks on hand brake not less than 4. good luck mate.....

2004 1.3 how to adjust handbrake - jc2
And that is the Ford-approved procedure.
2004 1.3 how to adjust handbrake - Andrew Moorey (Tune-Up)
You learn summat new every day!!
Happy Christmas
2004 1.3 how to adjust handbrake - JohnRichard
The ka as 4 bolts at the back of the back plate they hold the drum on no need to undo the wheel bearing nut you can damage the bearing. Remove these remove the drum complete with stub axle and clean/inspect rear shoes and wheel cylinders, The drum may have a lip on rub this down nice and flat with emery roll that fits in your drill. Then adjust shoes up to suit, your looking for approx 4 clicks on hand brake not less than 4. good luck mate.....

On our 2008 Ka, I found one rear brake not holding very well on the handbrake. The cable was pulling through OK when the brake lever was pulled on, and all the levers and adjusters were free, but the cable was holding the shoe lever off its stop. The cable plastic sleeve had effectively ruffled up, preventing the cable from returning fully. New cable set required and it appears they are readily available.

It should never be necessary to manually adjust. Make sure that the shoe lever is resting against the shoe web. If the cable is holding it away from the web, the auto adjusters can't work properly. The same applied when cables had adjusters - 1970's - if the cable was adjusted too tight, proper adjustment at the drum was impossible and the performance could be erratic.